HC Deb 30 October 1996 vol 284 cc142-3W
Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent circulars have been issued to prison works departments in respect of the buying in of materials for repair and maintenance work. [666]

Miss Widdecombe

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 Richard Tilt to Mr A. J. Beith, dated 30 October 1996: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about whether any recent circulars have been issued to prison works departments in respect of the buying in of materials for repairs and maintenance work. I recently issued a note to governors introducing a freeze on discretionary expenditure and stating that expenditure should only be incurred in respect of essential items of work. This included expenditure on maintenance and minor works other than work which is already contractually committed, mandatory/statutory items, health and safety items, emergency work and work to prevent loss of places or core facilities. It has been necessary to introduce this freeze on discretionary expenditure because of recent financial pressures but we will keep the position under review.