§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 27 January,Official Report, columns 715–16, how many existing providers of education have responded to his request; and when he expects to be able to indicate how many and which organisations will be contracted to provide education in prisons between 1 April and 30 September.
§ Mr. Peter LloydBy 1 February 1993, the Prison Service had received responses from 42 local education authorities and 61 colleges and institutions of further education. Existing providers have been offered the option of continuing to provide education services on the present terms until 31 August 1993. Where they are unable or122W unwilling to do so, contracts will be awarded under the current competitive tender. Decisions are expected to be reached within the next two weeks.