HC Deb 14 February 2000 vol 344 cc416-7W
Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how HMP Manchester has performed against its Service Level Agreement and key performance indicators in each year of the Agreement; and if he will make a statement. [109885]

Mr. Boateng

The Manchester Service Level Agreement (SLA) commenced on 7 March 1994. The SLA was revised in August 1995 and October 1996. The information set out in the table outlines the target set by the SLA and the performance reached. SLA targets equate to national Key Performance Indicators.

Average days of staff sickness Employment of women Employment of ethnic minorities Employment of registered disabled Expenditure
1994–95
Target less than 9 Increase to 4.5 per cent. of total staff Increase to 4.5 per cent. of total staff Increase to 4.5 per cent. of total staff Lower than SLA price
Performance 15.2 Not known Not known Not known Not known
1995–96
Target 1 15 per cent. 5 per cent. 2 per cent. Lower than SLA price
Performance 12.4 15.7 per cent. 1.5 per cent. 0 per cent. Not known
1996–97
Target 1 10 per cent. 5 per cent. 2 per cent. Lower than SLA price
Performance 12.1 15 per cent. 2.1 per cent. 0.1 per cent. Achieved
1997–98
Target 1 15 per cent. 5 per cent. 2 per cent. Lower than SLA price
Performance 13.6 18.3 per cent. 2.1 per cent. 0.1 per cent. Achieved
1998–99
Target 1 20 per cent. 5 per cent. 0.5 per cent. Lower than SLA price
Performance 14.8 19.5 per cent. 2.2 per cent. 0.2 per cent. Achieved
1 Data not available
2 Enhanced regime prisoners only

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors underlay the decision to subject HMP Manchester to market testing; and if he will make a statement. [109886]

Mr. Boateng

The purpose of market testing Manchester prison is to drive up standards and obtain maximum value for money from the successful bidder.

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the timetable for the competition for the operation of HMP Manchester; and if he will make a statement. [109887]

Mr. Boateng

The intended timetable for the market test of Manchester prison is for the Invitation To Tender to be issued by 30 March, the receipt of Best and Final Offers by 15 June and the selection of the preferred supplier by October.