HC Deb 16 January 1997 vol 288 c351W
Dr. Goodson-Wickes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the merits of privatising the prison medical service. [10450]

Miss Widdecombe

We have no plans to privatise the prison health care service. We are committed to pursuing a policy where health care for prisoners will be purchased from the national health service or the private sector, rather than be provided directly, where this makes sense in terms of a better level of service and better value for money.