HL Deb 02 March 1999 vol 597 cc180-1WA
Lord Dholakia

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the inquiry launched by the Director General of the Prison Service into matters affecting Wackenhut (UK) Ltd. will be published. [HL1204]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The disciplinary inquiry is being carried out by the Director of Dispersal Prisons, assisted by a non-executive member of the Prisons Board. The report, which will make recommendations to the director general about disciplinary action, will not be published.

Lord Dholakia

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the internal audit report of the contract between the Home Office and Wackenhut (UK) Ltd. will be published. [HL1205]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The report by Prison Service Internal Audit on this matter is an internal management document concerning actions which are the subject of a disciplinary investigation as well as issues which are subject to discussion with the contractor. In line with the service's normal policy, it is not intended to published the report.

Lord Dholakia

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether Wackenhut (UK) Ltd. has met its contractual obligation to run HM Prison Coldingley. [HL1206]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The contract was terminated on 31 January. Under the contract, Wackenhut (UK) Ltd. provided work for prisoners and marketed goods and services produced. The contract sets out the respective liabilities of the two parties in the event of termination, and the Prison Service is in the process of identifying and recovering sums due under these terms.

Lord Dholakia

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What were the reasons for Wackenhut (UK) Ltd. a subsidiary of the Wackenhut Corporation of the United States, withdrawing from the contract to run HM Prison Coldingley. [HL1208]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

Wackenhut (UK) Ltd. gave notice of termination of the contract to operate prison industries at Coldingley, as it was entitled to do under the terms of the contract, because it was unable to bear the continuing losses incurred by the operation. Under the contract, those losses had to be borne by the contractor.