HL Deb 15 July 2003 vol 651 cc103-4WA
Lord Ouseley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the estimated cost of the Commission for Racial Equality's formal investigation into H M Prison Service at £1.5 million represents value for money; and what benefits they expect from such expenditures. [HL3869]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

I am advised by the commission that its total costs of the formal investigation from 2000–01 to date are £666,245 (salaries, main activities and overheads).

This was a major investigation into the Prison Service, which is a significant area of concern to the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE). It was arguably the most complex and challenging investigation the organisation has ever conducted. Furthermore, the CRE was investigating, in part, the circumstances leading up to a racially motivated murder.

The CRE's priority was to conduct a full and proper investigation in order to get to the truth of the matter and this has been achieved. The resulting action plan which the CRE will be working with the Prison Service to implement should lead to significant improvements (not least in the minimisation of risk to inmates) which more than justify the expenditure.