HC Deb 29 April 1993 vol 223 cc507-8W
Mr. Keen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the organisations which have placed a bid to run the educational service at Her Majesty's young offenders and remand centre, Feltham; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Responsibility 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.

Letter from Ian Dunbar to Mr. Alan Keen, dated 29 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 Question about those bidding to provide future education services at Her Majesty's Young Offender Institution and Remand Centre, Feltham.

I would refer you to the reply given to the hon. Member for Sherwood, Mr. Tipping, on 14 January, col 798, a copy of which is enclosed. The London Borough of Hounslow and Hounslow Borough College have agreed to continue to provide education services at HM Young Offender Institution and Remand Centre, Feltham until 31 August 1993. Following the recent judgment of Mr. Justice Ogden in the case of Kenny and Woodroffe v South Manchester College, the Prison Service expects to reach a decision shortly on how to proceed with tendering for those prison establishments, for which contracts for the future provision of education services have not yet been placed.

Mr. Keen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to the report into Her Majesty's young offenders and remand centre, Feltham, carried out by Anthony Scrivener QC and his team on behalf of the Howard League; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Responsibility 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.

Letter from Ian Dunbar to Mr Alan Keen, dated 29 April 1993:

In the temporary absence of Mr. Lewis, the Director General, the Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the Howard League report on Feltham Remand Centre and Young Offender Institution.

The report covers a wide range of matters and makes many recommendations. The Howard League have identified several areas of concern and steps have already been taken to improve conditions at Feltham and to reduce the risk of suicide by the young offenders held there.

The Governor of Feltham is studying the Howard League's report in detail, along with other members of the Prison Service Working Group on Feltham. Its terms of reference are to support and facilitate the enhancement of the regime at Feltham Remand Centre; to consider the plan for its long-term future; and to make recommendations.

There will be a full response to the Howard League recommendations when the Feltham Working Group publishes its report later this year.