Mr. EllestsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for the future management of the Northern Ireland Prison Service.
§ Sir John WheelerFollowing completion of a prior options study into the future management of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, the Government have decided that the service should now begin preparations to become a next steps agency on 1 April 1995. That will give the service greater freedom to manage its resources within a framework which sets out its responsibilities, targets and appropriate performance measures. The Prison Service will continue to be accountable to my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State.