§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Prison Service posts will be lost during the current financial year; what was the target figure set; and if he will make a statement. [26667]
§ Miss WiddecombeResponsibility 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 Richard Tilt to Mr. Alex Carlile, dated 29 April 1996:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of Prison Service posts lost during the current financial year; and what was the target figure.404WReductions in staff are part of the Prison Service's plans for improving its cost efficiency. Final decisions on numbers have not been taken. These decisions will be reached following local consultation with the unions and will take into account the operational needs of the Service, available financial provision, the scope for cost reductions in other areas and the numbers of staff who have applied for voluntary early retirement and severance.