§ The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office(Jane Kennedy)The report of the Prison Service pay review body on the pay of governor and officer grades in the Northern Ireland Prison Service for 2004 has been published today. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Both the Secretary of State and I welcome the recognition in the report of the work of staff in the Northern Ireland Prison Service.
80WSThe Review Body has recommended a 2 per cent. increase (part consolidated—part non-consolidated) on existing rates of pay for the 12 month period commencing 1 April 2004.
I have decided to accept the recommendations and implement the award in full.