HC Deb 22 June 1994 vol 245 cc176-7W
Ms Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the amount of money paid to United Kingdom Detention Services for(a) start-up costs and (b) phase-in costs under the contract to run Blakenhurst prison.

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 Derek Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 22 June 1994: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the amount of money paid to United Kingdom Detention Services. The payments for start up costs were £3.3 million excluding VAT, and the payments for phase in costs were £4.5 million excluding VAT.

Ms Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the amount of money paid to United Kingdom Detention Services for operating costs under the contract to run Blakenhurst prison during its first year of operation; and if this sum included the amounts paid for start-up and phase-in costs.

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 Derek Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 22 June 1994: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the amount of money paid to United Kingdom Detention Services for operating costs under the contract to run Blakenhurst Prison during its first year of operation; and if this sum included the amounts paid for start up and phase in costs. The amount of money paid in the first year of operation was £9.4 million excluding VAT. This sum does not include the start up costs which were paid before the prison commenced operation. However, it does include the phase in costs which related to the period during which the population of the prison grew to 95 per cent. of the certified normal accommodation. This point was reached in November 1993.