HC Deb 10 December 1998 vol 322 cc266-7W
Mr. Clappison

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what loans Wackenhut has received from HM Prison Service in connection with prison workshops at HMP Coldingley; and if such loans have been repaid; [62928]

(2) what plans there are for the repayment of loans and debts owed to the Prison Service in respect of workshops at HMP Coldingley; [62925]

(3) if Wackenhut have paid HM Prison Service for public utilities they have used at HMP Coldingley since November 1997. [62929]

Mr. George Howarth

A loan of £105,000 was made to Wackenhut (UK) Ltd. in April 1998, of which £52,500 has been repaid. The Prison Service has asked for immediate repayment of the outstanding amount, together with amounts relating to utilities costs, which are payable by Wackenhut under the terms of the contract.

Mr. Clappison

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the efficiency of operation of laundry, metal workshop and sign-making facilities at HMP Coldingley since 1997. [62926]

Mr. George Howarth

The Prison Service is awaiting the production of audited accounts by the contractor, Wackenhut (UK) Ltd. to enable a full assessment to be made.

Mr. Clappison

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Wackenhut have paid HM Prison Service for plant and machinery used by them at workshops at HM Prison Coldingley since November 1997. [62930]

Mr. George Howarth

The contract with Wackenhut (UK) Ltd. for the management of the Coldingley Prison industries does not require a payment from the company for industrial plant and machinery.

Mr. Clappison

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what requests Wackenhut have made for renegotiation of the contract for providing workshops at HMP Coldingley. [62927]

Mr. George Howarth

Wackenhut (UK) Ltd. have expressed interest in re-negotiating the terms of the contract. The Prison Service is considering this.