HC Deb 24 July 1997 vol 298 c680W
Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what period the contract for Operation Quantum will be awarded. [10091]

Ms Quin

It is anticipated that any contract will be awarded for a period of up to 10 years from completion of implementation.

Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of posts remaining within the Prison Service at administrative and executive grades after the completion of Operation Quantum. [10096]

Ms Quin

I am not in a position to make an estimate of the number of posts which will remain within the Prison Service at this stage. Final decisions have not yet been made on the scope of the project, nor on whether the services in question should be contracted-out or remain in-house.

Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which companies have been invited to tender for Operation Quantum. [10089]

Ms Quin

The Prison Service has not yet issued invitations to tender for Quantum. Three suppliers have taken part in a study of the Prison Service's requirements. These are:

  • PRISM—a special vehicle company comprising Sema Group, Bull, Deloitte & Touche Consulting, Serco, Premier Prison Services Ltd. and CSL.
  • EDS—with A. T. Kearney, Lockheed Martin and Securicor Custodial Services.
  • Team Novus—Comprising ICL, Group 4 (Securitas), Perot Systems and Capita.