§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he intends to take to ensure that the company running Blakenhurst prison in Birmingham recognises trade unions. [38083]
§ Miss WiddecombeResponsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. John McAllion, dated 30 October 1995:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about trade union recognition at Blakenhurst prison.
Whether or not a trade union is recognised at a contracted out prison is a matter for the contractor. The contractor at Blakenhurst prison, United Kingdom Detention Services, has decided not to recognise a trade union to represent staff.
There is a staff consultative committee at Blakenhurst which enables staff representatives to meet with senior managers on a regular and formal basis.