§ Mrs. EllmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who was appointed to investigate recent allegations of bullying in relation to nursing staff at HMP Liverpool and on whose authority; who set the terms of reference for the inquiry; what guidance was given on the conduct of the inquiry and the compilation of the report; and to whom he intends the report will be made available in its entirety. [97281]
§ Mr. BoatengThe area manager for Merseyside and Manchester appointed Mr. R. S. McColm, then deputy governor grade at Manchester prison and now deputy governor at Wymott prison, and a trained senior investigating officer, to conduct the investigation. The area manager did so on his own authority, but he had discussed the matter with the operational director and the 367W then Director General. The area manager set the terms of reference for the inquiry. The terms of reference directed Mr. McColm to conduct the investigation in accordance with Prison Service Instruction to governors 37/1994, a copy of which is available in the Library, and to take account of the Prison Service guidance on "Combating harassment and discrimination".
On the question of disclosure, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I have her on 27 October 1999, Official Report, column 878. However, my hon. Friend has also asked to meet me to discuss the matter and I shall arrange to do so shortly.