§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department began consideration of the effect of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 on the contracting out of prison education.
§ Mr. Peter Lloyd[holding answer 5 February 1993]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply to the hon. Member for Stretford (Mr. Lloyd) on 8 December, Official Report, columns 555–56. When the decision was made to invite competitive tenders for the future provision of education in prisons, the view was taken that the tendering of an already contracted-out service would not necessarily involve the transfer of an undertaking. This view was confirmed in legal advice which the Prison Service obtained.
§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contingency plans he has made for the timetable for contracting out prison education if the original planned start date becomes impossible.
§ Mr. Peter Lloyd[holding answer 5 February 1993]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to her questions on 27 January at columns 715–16. Where the existing providers agree, the present arrangements will continue until 31 August 1993. Where the existing providers do not, contracts will be awarded to take effect from 1 April 1993 under the recent competitive tender.