HC Deb 13 February 2004 vol 418 cc163-4W
David Burnside

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the prison authorities at Her Majesty's Prison, Maghaberry, negotiate with the leaders of the(a) Provisional IRA, (b) UDA and (c) UVF on conditions within the prison. [154804]

Jane Kennedy

The prison authorities do not negotiate with paramilitary leaders on conditions within the prison. It is important that control of the prison regime remains with the prison authorities.

David Burnside

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost was of damage by prisoners to prison property and equipment in each of the last 12 months at Her Majesty's Prison, Maghaberry. [154866]

Jane Kennedy

The cost of damage by prisoners to prison property and equipment in each of the last 12 months at Her Majesty's Prison, Maghaberry was as follows:

Month Total (£)
February 2003 951
March 5,644
April 4,217
May 204
June 1,516
July 15,889
August 41,987
September 6,906
October 32,944
November 15,481
December 18,791
January 2004 1115,580
1 A disturbance occurred in Bann House on 14 January 2004 resulting in damage estimated at £100,000. Repair work has commenced but invoices for the actual cost of repairs have not yet been received.

David Burnside

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoner officers, and what percentage of total staff, have been on sick leave in each of the last 12 months at Her Majesty's Prison, Maghaberry. [154869]

Jane Kennedy

The information requested is in the following table.

Month Number of Percentage of staff absent sick Staff in post Percentage of staff in post absent sick
February 2003 113 842 13.42
March 2003 97 842 11.52
April 2003 91 841 10.82
May 2003 92 837 10.99
June 2003 90 836 10.77
July 2003 101 831 12.16
August 2003 115 828 13.89
September 2003 100 829 12.06
October 2003 99 825 12.00
November 2003 97 823 11.79
December 2003 102 821 12.42
January 2004 87 820 10.61