HC Deb 16 February 1993 vol 219 cc135-6W
Ms. Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the names and previous employment of(a) the governor and deputy governor of Wolds remand prison, (b) the governor and deputy governor of Blakenhurst prison and (c) the director and assistant director of Group 4 Court Escort Services; Ltd.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

A contracted-out prison is run by a director not a governor. The director of Wolds remand prison is Mr. Stephen Twinn. Wolds has no deputy director, but the head of custody is Mr. David McDonnell. The director of Blakenhurst is Mr. David Brooke, and the deputy director will be Mr. Bernard Higgins, who has yet to take up post. All were formerly members of HM Prison Service. Immediately prior to taking up his post at Blakenhurst, Mr. Brooke was on secondment to HM inspectorate of prisons. The director of Group 4 Court Services Ltd. in the east midlands and Humberside is Mr. Michael Hirst. There is no assistant director, but the two senior controllers are Mr. Ken Tuckwood and Mr. David Adams. All are former police officers.

Ms. Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the absconding of a man on remand at the Wolds on 9 February; and if he will institute an inquiry.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

On 9 February a prisoner escaped from Hull royal infirmary where he had been taken, under escort, from Wolds remand prison. He was re-arrested by the police during the night of 10 February.

The contractor's staff are carrying out a full inquiry into the causes of the escape. I have also instructed the controller to initiate an inquiry into matters connected with the escape.

Ms. Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Group 4 pays for the cost of providing gas, electricity and water at the Wolds remand prison.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

No, but these are met from within the £6.9 million estimated cost of running the prison published on Budget day last year. Because Wolds is of a unique design, it was not possible to set benchmark levels of energy and water consumption for inclusion in the contract, but the contractor's efficient use of public utilities is monitored by the Home Office controller based at the prison who is assisted by the Home Office energy efficiency unit. Once energy consumption for the Wolds buildings over a full year has been established, it is intended to amend the contract so that the cost of public utilities becomes the contractor's responsibility.