HC Deb 19 April 2004 vol 420 c108W
Dr. Vis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which prisons pay prisoners who attend full-time education the same rates as those who work. [165399]

Paul Goggins

There are various forms of work available within establishments, all with different pay scales. Pay schemes and rates of pay that operate within establishments are a matter for local management, subject to certain centrally prescribed minimum rates of pay which are set out in Prison Service Order 4460. Prisoners who are employed in work, induction, education, training or offending behaviour programs will receive at least the minimum weekly rate of pay for employed prisoners.

The Prison Service does not hold the rates of pay for prisoners centrally. Therefore it would be possible to obtain this information only at disproportionate cost.