HC Deb 10 April 2002 vol 383 cc358-9W
Mr. Stinchcombe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he defines prison officers as members of the emergency services. [44422]

Beverley Hughes

The prison service is defined as a discipline service, not an emergency service. Emergency service status is reserved for those services available to respond to emergency 999 calls.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what London allowance is paid to prison officers working at London prisons. [44623]

Beverley Hughes

London allowance is paid by way of a local pay allowance to all Prison Service staff at sites in London and around the south-east. The annual rates payable from 1 January 2002 at the following sites are£3,500 rate—Brixton, Wandsworth, Holloway, Pentonville, Wormwood Scrubs, Feltham, Huntercombe, Headquarters Westminster. £2,300 rate—Belmarsh, Latchmere House, Downview, Highdown, Send, The Mount, Coldingley, Aylesbury, Headquarters Croydon. £1,000 rate—Reading, Woodhill. Bullingdon, Grendon/Spring Hill, Chelmsford, Bullwood Hall and Bedford.