HC Deb 15 January 2001 vol 361 cc85-6W
Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison governors were(a) relieved of their duties and (b) demoted in each year since 1995; and what proportion of governors this represented. [144651]

Mr. Boateng

There are 124 governing governors in publicly run prisons. Information is only available for the last two years. In the year 1999 two governing governors were moved from post at short notice (1.6 per cent). In 2000, 11 governors were moved from post at short notice (8.8 per cent). Governors are moved for a variety of reasons. These include poor health, early retirement, career moves and poorly performing establishments. On occasions, more than one factor leads to a move. No governing governor was demoted in either year.

Mr. Crausby

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the National Asylum Support Service intends to monitor the needs of disabled asylum seekers. [144421]

Mrs. Roche

The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) has established a Performance Monitoring Section, which has responsibility for ensuring that the support provided to asylum seekers, including disabled asylum seekers, is satisfactory. If the NASS becomes aware that any aspect of support is not being provided this will be addressed.

Mr. Crausby

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the National Asylum Support Service will produce an annual report. [144418]

Mrs. Roche

The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) is one of the Directorates within the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND). In common with other parts of the IND the activities of the NASS will be covered in the IND Annual Report.