§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison custody officers have been released for other duties as a result of the contracting out of the court escort service in the Humberside and east midlands regions; and what new tasks have been assigned to these officers.
§ Mr. Peter LloydResponsibility for this matter has been delegated to the director general of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
355WLetter from Mr. I. Dunbar to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 27 April 1993:
In the temporary absence of Mr. Lewis, the Director General, from the office, the Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the numbers of prison officers released for other duties as a result of the contracting out of the court escort service in the East Midlands and Humberside, and the new tasks assigned to these officers.Our best estimate is that the full time equivalent of 96 officers was freed up as a result of contracting out court escort work. Eighteen posts have been retained at establishments within the contract area and will contribute, as Governors think fit, to the improvement of regimes at those establishments. The remaining staff resources will be redeployed as necessary throughout the Service.