§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contracts his Department has with the security firm Reliance; whether these are being reviewed; and if he will make a statement. [175545]
§ Paul Goggins[holding answer 25 May 2004]: Her Majesty's Prison Service for England and Wales currently contracts with Reliance Security Task Management Ltd. for the delivery of prisoner escort and custody services in the South West of England and South Wales.
A Better Quality Services Review in 2002 recommended that court escort and custody services should remain contracted out but that there should be a re-competition of the current contracts.
875WThe re-competition has been undertaken and contracts are in the process of being awarded and a further contract will be awarded to Reliance.