Hostels

HC Deb 26 October 1992 vol 212 cc455-6W

Mr. David Howell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the percentage of site purchase and refurbishment costs which his Department grants for(a) probation hostel beds and (b) for bail hostel beds.

Mr. Jack

Site purchase and construction or refurbishment costs for both probation and bail hostels are met initially by a 100 per cent. capital grant from the Home Office. Over a period of time 20 per cent. of this cost is recovered from local authorities.

Mr. David Howell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the percentage of operating costs which his Department pays for(a) probation hostel beds and (b) bail hostel beds.

Mr. Jack

Eighty per cent. of the operating or revenue costs of probation and hail hostels are met by Home Office grant. The remaining 20 per cent. is provided by payments from local authorities.

Mr. David Howell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what restrictions are currently placed on hostels taking in residents when those persons are not domiciled in the county where the hostel is sited.

Mr. Jack

None.

Mr. David Howell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what audit checks take place in respect of probation hostels and bail hostels.

Mr. Jack

All claims submitted by probation and bail hostels are subject to audit by independent auditors approved by, and acting in accordance with instructions issued by, the Audit Commission.

Mr. David Howell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what rules govern salary levels, expenses levels and perks such as vehicles and promotion in respect of probation and bail hostels.

Mr. Jack

Probation officer grades working as wardens and deputy wardens at probation and bail hostels are employed under terms and conditions set by the joint negotiating committee for the probation service. Their pay is determined by the Secretary of State. Other wardens and deputy wardens, and all assistant wardens, are employed in accordance with terms and conditions set by the residential and allied staffs committee of the National Joint Council for the Local Authorities Administrative, Professional, Technical and Clerical Services. All other staff are either employed in accordance with terms and conditions set by the National Joint Council for Local Authority Services (Manual Workers), or are recruited on the basis of locally negotiated agreements.