HC Deb 14 April 1993 vol 222 c621W
Mr. Michael

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated cost to the Home Office of defending the judicial review in respect of the contracting out of prison education.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

The application by Kent county council for judicial review of decisions taken by the Department on competitive tendering for the future provision of education services in prison establishments in England and Wales has yet to be heard. To date, additional legal costs of just over £8,000 have been incurred by the prison service in connection with the action.

Mr. Michael

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff are employed in the market testing unit at the Home Office for the latest date available; and how may of them are legally trained.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

On Tuesday 6 April 1993 the equivalent of 41.7 full-time staff were employed in the Home Office market testing unit. None has any legal training but they consult Home Office legal staff as necessary on legal problems.