HC Deb 18 December 1996 vol 287 cc715-6W
Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the cost to public funds of(a) arrested but unconvicted persons by the Metropolitan police in relation to court proceedings, (b) costs incurred by (i) the Metropolitan police and (ii) the Home Office for secure transport of those convicted and (c) the total costs of transport for the years (1) 1994–95 and (2) 1995–96, indicating the number of specialist vehicles and persons used by the providers in each year. [8808]

Miss Widdecombe

[holding answer 16 December 1996]: The cost to public funds of arrested but unconvicted persons by the Metropolitan police in relation to court proceedings is not available in the form requested.

Costs incurred by (i) the Metropolitan police and (ii) the Home Office for secure transport of those convicted are as follows:

1994–95 1995–96
Total cost to the Metropolitan police £3.9 million £1.4 million
Recovery from the Home Office £1.5 million £0.8 million
Net cost to Metropolitan police £2.4 million £0.6 million
Cost to the Metropolitan police of vehicles (included in costs above) £505 thousand £127 thousand
Costs to Home Office of vehicles (included in costs above) £426 thousand £235 thousand
Number of vehicles 52 30
Number of staff 77 26

The costs do not include the costs of special escort duties provided by the Metropolitan police or the Home Office in the conveyance of prisoners between Crown court and prison.

In the years 1994–95 and 1995–96 the responsibility for the escort of prisoners in London, other than those in the highest security category, to and from court was in the process of being transferred from the police and the Prison Service to Securicor Custodial Services. This exercise was only completed in July 1995.

The contract covers the full escort service, together with the responsibility for the custody of prisoners while at court. It is on a fixed-price basis and the component elements, such as transportation, are not costed separately. The requested information is not, therefore, available.

In 1995–96, Securicor employed approximately 900 staff and 150 specialist vehicles on the contract. The total value is approximately £96 million over five years.