HC Deb 28 October 1994 vol 248 c880W
Ms Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the total cost(a) to the Prison Service and (b) to the contractors of disturbances at Doncaster prison; whether default notices were served; and what financial penalties were applied;

(2) what was the total cost (a) to the Prison Service and (b) to the contractors of disturbances at Blakenhurst prison; whether default notices were served; and what financial penalties were applied;

(3) what were the total costs (a) to the Prison Service and (b) to the contractors of disturbances at the Wolds prison; if default notices were served; and what financial penalties were applied.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

[holding answer 24 October 1994]Responsibility for these matters 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 28 October 1994: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about the costs to the Prison Service and to the contractor of disturbances at Wolds, Blakenhurst and Doncaster; if default notices were served; and what financial penalties were applied. Any costs met by the contractor are a matter for them as they do not involve public funds. The cost of prisoner damage at Doncaster are met entirely by the contractor. The cost of damage caused by prisoners at Wolds and Blakenhurst is identifiable, but of those costs the amount attributable to disturbances is not identifiable separately. There have been no default notices issued as a result of disturbances at Wolds, Doncaster and Blakenhurst. No other financial penalties have been imposed, other than those outlined in Mr. Butler's reply to you on 28 April 1994 (Official Report column 244).>

Ms Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of occasions on which police officers have been called to Doncaster prison since 20 June to the latest available date; and how many officers have been called on each occasion.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

[holding answer 24 October 1994]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 28 October 1994: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of occasions on which police officers have been called to Doncaster prison, from 20 June to the latest available date, and how many officers have been called on each occasion. Police attendance to Doncaster prison has been sought on seven occasions since 20 June. On three occasions police were responding to incidents involving visitors; on two occasions they attended a death of a prisoner; one occasion was to help deal with a concerted act of indiscipline by prisoners, and one to recapture an escapee. The number of police officers involved varied according to the operational need as determined by the local police and is not recorded at the prison.

Forward to