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Miss Widdecombe: A jobseeker's direction must be reasonable having regard to the circumstances of the jobseeker. If the jobseeker refuses or fails to carry out a direction, an independent adjudication officer will determine whether the direction was reasonable and whether the jobseeker had good cause for failing to act.
Mr. McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what special provision will be made available for people who have transferred to jobseekers allowance from incapacity benefit.
Miss Widdecombe: Jobseekers will be able to restrict their availability to the type of hours of work they are prepared to take because of their physical or mental condition.
Significant extra resources will be provided over the next three years to fund additional back-to-work help for those leaving incapacity benefit. The Benefits Agency and the Employment Service are working closely to ensure a smooth transition from incapacity to unemployment benefits for those who will be affected.
Mr. McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) who will be empowered in the Employment Service to judge that a direction issued to a claimant seeking jobseekers allowance is considered to be reasonable; and who is empowered to disqualify a claimant from benefit;
(2) who will be responsible for deciding whether the amount of time provided for claimants to carry out directions issued by Employment Service officers for the purposes of seeking entitlement to jobseekers allowance is fair and reasonable;
(3) who will determine that the advice given by Employment Service staff to direct claimants seeking entitlement for purposes of jobseekers allowance will be in the best interests of the individual and that this advice has been optimally matched to improve the claimant's chances of finding work.
Miss Widdecombe: The Jobseekers Bill provides that a jobseekers's direction must be reasonable in the claimant's circumstances, and given with a view of assisting him to find or retain employment or improving his prospects of being employed. If the jobseeker refuses or fails to carry it out, an independent adjudication officer will take all the facts of the case into account in deciding whether to impose a sanction, including whether the claimant had good cause for his action.
Mr. McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what safeguards will be built into the jobseeker's allowance appeals process to ensure that claimants are not coerced into signing the agreement against their will.
Miss Widdecombe: If a jobseeker does not agree with the terms and conditions of a proposed jobseeker's agreement, he can refer it to an independent adjudication officer for a determination. He will also have the right to have that determination reviewed by a second adjudication officer, and the right of appeal to a social security appeals tribunal.
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Mr. McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment in what instances discretion will be held to apply in directing the claimant for purposes of entitlement to the jobseeker's allowance to take steps as provided in section 6(3) (a) of the Jobseekers Bill.
Miss Widdecombe: There is no provision under this clause to give direction to jobseekers. Jobseekers will be required to demonstrate that they are actively seeking employment. The steps which will constitute meeting this requirement will be set out in regulations.
Mr. McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment who will judge if the assessment for the purposes of entering into the jobseeker's agreement is accurate and a genuine reflection of an individual's skills, qualification and experience.
Miss Widdecombe: The employment officer and the jobseeker will seek to draw up a jobseeker's agreement. If they cannot agree on the terms an conditions of the proposed agreement, it will be referred to an independent adjudication officer.
Mr. McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what advice and guidance will be given to Employment Service staff of the interpretation and execution of directions under section 6(3) (a) of the Jobseekers Bill; and what specific circumstances will be prescribed to fall within the jurisdiction of the definition of directions.
Miss Widdecombe: There is no provision under this clause to give directions to jobseekers. Jobseekers will be required to demonstrate that they are actively seeking employment. The steps which will constitute meeting this requirement will be set out in regulations.
Mr. Rooney: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the composition of the jobseekers allowance project team; how often it has met; and to whom it reports.
Miss Widdecombe: The jobseeker's allowance is jointly the responsibility of my right hon. Friends, the Secretaries of State for Employment and for Social Security. An official group, chaired by the Employment Department, is accountable to them for implementation of the allowance. A project director is accountable for the implementation project to the implementation group and is assisted in the day-to-day management of the project by a project manager. The latter is assisted by a project management board, comprising himself, key managers within the project, and representatives of the ED, the Department of Social Security and their agencies. The board has met 12 times.
Mr. McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how the term "direction" is to be defined in relation to the jobseeker's allowance.
Miss Widdecombe: The Jobseekers Bill defines in clause 15 the term "jobseeker's direction" as "a direction given in writing by an employment officer--with a view to achieving one or more of the following:
(i) assisting the claimant to find employment;
(ii) assisting the claimant to retain employment;
(iii) improving the claimant's prospects of being employed.
Mr. McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether interpreters will be readily available for people seeking entitlement to jobseekers allowance whose first language is not English.
Miss Widdecombe: For those jobseekers whose first language is not English, and who need help with
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translation, as now, an appointment will be booked with an adviser with the appropriate language skills, where they are available. Alternatively, another member of staff with appropriate language skills will act as a interpreter. If neither of these is possible the jobseeker will be encouraged to bring a friend or relative to the interview to act as an interpreter. Jobcentres are also able to make use of local services offering interpreting facilities where there is a need.Mr.McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which members of staff in the Employment Service will be empowered to issue directions to claimants seeking entitlement to jobseekers allowance.
Miss Widdecombe: Jobseeker's directions will be given by staff who have appropriate training to do so.
Mr. McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what timescale will apply to claimants seeking entitlement to jobseekers allowance for carrying out directions as issued by Employment Service staff;
(2) how long claimants seeking entitlement to jobseekers allowance will be given, in order that they may take steps to carry out a reasonable direction.
Miss Widdecombe: A jobseeker's direction will specify the action required of the claimant, and the time by which it is to be carried out. The Jobseekers Bill provides that a direction must be reasonable in the claimant's circumstances, and the independent adjudication officer will therefore take the required timescale into account in deciding whether to impose a sanction for the claimant's failure to carry out a direction.
Mr. McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how long in practice the assessment process will take for the purposes of entering into the jobseekers agreement.
Miss Widdecombe: The process of entering into the jobseekers agreement will be handled as part of the new claim interview. Work is currently in progress to assess the impact of all new features of the jobseekers allowance, including the jobseeker's agreement, on the structure and nature of the new claim interview.
Mr. Rooney: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment has been made of future premises needs for the Employment Service after the introduction of the jobseekers allowance.
Miss Widdecombe: Work is underway as part of the implementation of jobseeker's allowance to assess the implications of JSA on the network of Employment Service jobcentres. This taking place alongside other development work with which it is linked, including in particular the detailed business processes through which the allowance will be delivered.
Connect"
Mr. Rooney: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many issues there have been of the newsletter "Connect"; what is the circulation; and what has been the total cost of production.
Miss Widdecombe: At 3 February 1995 there have been three issues of the newsletter "Connect". The current circulation is 61,500 per issue, to staff in the Benefits Agency, the Employment Service, the Department of Social Security and the Employment Department. The total cost of production of the three issues has been £31,324.
Column 101
Minister's Working Hours
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average number of hours worked in a week by (a) a Secretary of State, (b) a Minister of State and (c) a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in his Department.
Mr. Portillo: Ministers in the Employment Department work the hours necessary to complete all the ministerial and departmental tasks for which they are responsible. Ministers do not keep detailed logs of the hours per week which they work.
MSc Courses
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list (a) those MSc courses that are currently funded with money from the European social fund, (b) the criteria for the distribution of ESF money for MSc courses and (c) those MSc courses that have ceased to receive ESF money this academic year; and if he will make a statement.
Miss Widdecombe: MSc courses may receive support from the European social fund towards the costs of training eligible unemployed people. All such courses must lead to a recognised higher or degree level vocational qualifications.
ESF funds are allocated on a calendar year basis, following a competitive selection process. The following list shows the courses which received approval for an element of ESF funding for 1994. Applications for 1995 funds are currently being processed. Information on courses that have ceased to receive funding during the last year could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Higher Education-European Social Fund Unit 1994
Recommended Masters Courses
Institution Name |Project Name
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anglia Polytechnic University |European Business MNGMT
| and IT Systems
Canterbury Christ Church |Transnational MSC in IT
College of H.E
University of Luton |SEM D and M
Nene College |MBA (Europe)
Nene College |Office Systems and Data
| Communications
Nene College |Office Systems and Data
| Communications 025
Huddersfield University |Analytical Chemistry
Huddersfield University |Analytical Chemistry
Huddersfield University |Engineering
Huddersfield University |Software Development
Huddersfield University |Textile Technology for Textile
| Designers
Huddersfield University |Textile Technology for Textile
| Designers
Manchester Metropolitan |Clothing Design and
University | Technology
Manchester Metropolitan |Food Manufacture
University
Manchester Metropolitan |Management in Manufacturing
University | Industry
Manchester Metropolitan |Quality Assured Applied Chem
University | Analysis
Manchester Metropolitan |Science and Engineering
University
Middlesex University |Applied Informatics (Trans)
Middlesex University |Computing for Manufacturing
| Industry
Middlesex University |ELEC Product Innovation and
| MNGMT
Middlesex University |Environmental Technology
Middlesex University |Microelectronic Tech and
| Application
Middlesex University |VT in Business Info Systems
Middlesex University |VT in Knowledge Engineering
North London University |Computing for Women
Nottingham Trent University |Integrated Environmental
| Control
Nottingham Trent University |Manufacturing Systems
Nottingham Trent University |PG Conversion in IT
Portsmouth University |ADV Manufacturing
| Technology
Portsmouth University |Advanced Manufacturing
| Technology
Portsmouth University |Advanced Manufacturing
| Technology
Portsmouth University |Design and Product Cultural
| Interact Dbases
Portsmouth University |Microwave Design Training
Plymouth University |Applied Marine Studies
Plymouth University |Applied Marine Studies
Plymouth University |Hydrographic Surveying
Plymouth University |Hydrographic Surveying
Plymouth University |MSC Applied Fish Technology
University of Sunderland |Applied Business Programme
University of Sunderland |Applied Computing Programme
University of Sunderland |Applied Environmental
| Programme
University of Sunderland |Applied Technology Programme
University of Sunderland |Combined Environmental
| Technologies
University of Sunderland |Combined Industrial Computing
Wolverhampton University |Applied Microbiology and
| Biotech
Wolverhampton University |Computing for Women
| Returners
Wolverhampton University |ENV. Sciences for U/E Grads
Wolverhampton University |PG MGT for Women Returners
Duncan of Jordanstone College |Electronic Imaging
of Art
Duncan of Jordanstone College |European Urban Conservation
of Art
Edinburgh College of Art |Urban Design
Glasgow Caledonian University |IT and Management
| Conservation
Napier University |Advanced Electronic Design
| ENG
Napier University |Business Info Management
Napier University |Control Engineering
Napier University |Electronic Engineer (Digital
| Systems)
Napier University |Electronic Engineer
| (Manufacture)
Napier University |Engineering Design Analyst
Napier University |Environmental Technology
Napier University |Info Systems Analyst
Napier University |Large Software Systems
| Development
Napier University |Manufacturing Systems
| Engineering
Napier University |Materials Analysis
Napier University |Quality Systems Management
Napier University |Software Analyst and Designer
Napier University |Software Engineer
Napier University |Systems Integration Engineering
Napier University |Water Resource Managements
North of Scotland College of |Agricultural Biotechnology
Agriculture
North of Scotland College of |Agricultural Technology
Agriculture
North of Scotland College of |Agro Food Technologies
Agriculture
North of Scotland College of |Organic Farming Technologies
Agriculture
Robert Gordon University |Advanced Technologies
Robert Gordon University |Environmental Technology and
| ECO Design
Aberdeen University |Agro Industrial Technology
Aberdeen University |Applied Artificial Intelligence
Aberdeen University |Applied Artificial Intelligence
Aberdeen University |Applied Artificial Intelligence
Aberdeen University |Chemical Analysis
Aberdeen University |Engineering and Environmental
| Technology
Aberdeen University |Environmental Technology
Aberdeen University |Information Technology
Aberdeen University |Marine and Fisheries
| Technology
Aberdeen University |Materials Tech/Industrial
| CHEM Analysis
Aberdeen University |Training in Biotechnology
Aberystwyth Univ. College of |Agriculture Genetics
Wales
Aberystwyth Univ. College of |Biotechnology Training
Wales | (Physiology)
Aberystwyth Univ. College of |Biotechnology TRNG
Wales | (Electronmicroscopy)
Aberystwyth Univ. College of |High Level Vocational Training
Wales | IT
Aberystwyth Univ. College of |High Level Vocational Training
Wales | IT
Aberystwyth Univ. College of |High Level Vocational Training
Wales | IT
Aberystwyth Univ. College of |High Level VT Environmental
Wales | Technology
Aberystwyth Univ. College of |High Level VT in
Wales | Environmental Technology
Aberystwyth Univ. College of |High Level VT TRNG Young
Wales | People Biotech
Aberystwyth Univ. College of |Information and Library Studies
Wales
Aberystwyth Univ. College of |Information Technology
Wales
Aberystwyth Univ. College of |VT Environmental Technology
Wales
Bangor Univ. College of Norths |Advanced Chemical Lab
Wale | Techniques
Bangor Univ. College of North |Animal Health and Production
Wales
Bangor Univ. College of North |APP Forestry and Wood
Wales | Technology
Bangor Univ. College of North |APP Physics and GEOTECH
Wales | Marine Technology
Bangor Univ. College of North |Applied Biological Sciences
Wales
Bangor Univ. College of North |Applied Marine Aquacultural
Wales | and ENV TECH
Bangor Univ. College of North |Applied Plant Biotechnology
Wales
Bangor Univ. College of North |Electronic Engineering
Wales | Technology
Bangor Univ. College of North |Rural and Water Resource
Wales | Management
Birmingham University |Applied Genetics Conserv
| Genetic Resource
Birmingham University |Applied Meteorology and
| Climatology
Birmingham University |Applied Radiation Physics
Birmingham University |Biochemical Engineering
Birmingham University |Cognitive Science
Birmingham University |Computer Science
Birmingham University |Construction Management
Birmingham University |Electronics and IT
Birmingham University |Hydrogeology
Birmingham University |Manufacturing and Mechanical
| Engineering
Birmingham University |Toxicology
Birmingham University |Water Resources Technology
| and MNGMT
Bradford University |ADV VT Environmental
| Technologists
Bradford University |VT Computer Systems Analysts
| and PROGRMRS
Bristol University |Crop Protection Training
Bristol University |Graduate Associate Programme
| (GAP)
Bristol University |PROF Updating CERT Women
| Returners
University of Wales College of |Artificial Intelligence and ENG
Cardiff | Application
University of Wales College of |Civil Engineering
Cardiff
University of Wales College of |Cognitive Science
Cardiff
University of Wales College of |Computing (with Statistics)
Cardiff
University of Wales College of |Data Process APPS Predictive
Cardiff | Demography
University of Wales College of |Electrical and Electromagnetic
Cardiff | ENG
University of Wales College of |Geotechnical Engineering
Cardiff
University of Wales College of |Maritime Studies
Cardiff
University of Wales College of |Structural Engineering
Cardiff
University of Wales College of |Systems Engineering
Cardiff
Dundee University |Biotechnology for Young
| People
Dundee University |Biotechnology for Young
| People
Dundee University |Computer TECH for Young
| People
Dundee University |ENG and Material TECH for Young People
Dundee University |Environmental Monitoring
| 18-24 YR
Dundee University |Training in TECH for LTU
Durham University |Advanced Environmental
| Technology
Durham University |Advanced Geological Sciences
Durham University |Advanced Geological Sciences
Durham University |Advanced Geosciences Training
East Anglia University |Biocolloids
East Anglia University |Biotechnologists
East Anglia University |Chemical Instrument
| Technologists
East Anglia University |Hydrogeologists
Edinburgh University, |ADV Techniques in Animal
UnivED | Husbandry
Technologies Ltd
Edinburgh University, |ADV Techniques of
UnivED |Environmental MANGMT
Technologies Ltd
Edinburgh University, |Animal Breeding
UnivED
Technologies Ltd
Edinburgh University, |Spatial Data Handling
UnivED
Technologies Ltd
Essex University |Computer Applications in
Essex University |Computer Applications in
| MNGMT
Essex University |Computer Science and Natural
| Lang Process
Essex University |Mathematics with Engineering
Essex University |Physical Sciences
Imperial College of Science |ADV Mechanical ENG
Technology
Imperial College of Science |Advanced Chemical Engineering
Technology
Imperial College of Science |APP. ENG. and PHYS. Science
Technology | to Medicine
Imperial College of Science |Communications and Signal
Technology | Processing
Imperial College of Science |Computer Science
Technology
Imperial College of Science |CONV. Training in Composite
Technology | Materials
Imperial College of Science |CONV. Training Young
Technology | UNEMP in TRANSP ENG
Imperial College of Science |Conversion Course in Control
Technology | Systems
Imperial College of Science |Conversion for EMPLOY
Technology | Semi-Conductor
Imperial College of Science |Conversion in Petroleum
Technology | Engineering
Imperial College of Science |Environmental Analysis
Technology | Assessment
Imperial College of Science |Foundations in Advanced IT
Technology
Imperial College of Science |Higher Level CONV. Training
Technology | Civil ENG
Imperial College of Science |Mineral Exploration
Technology
Imperial College of Science |Petroleum Geology
Technology
Imperial College of Science |Training Unemployed in
Technology | Hydrology ETC
Imperial College of Science |VT in Geological Engineering
Technology
Keele University |COMP. for GEOG and Business
| INFO Systems
Keele University |Computing in Earth Sciences
Keele University |Machine Perception and
| Neurocomputing
University of Kent at |ADV TECH Training Skill
Canterbury | Shortages
University of Kent at |ADV Technology for LTU
Canterbury
University of Kent at |Computer Sciences for GRADS
Canterbury
Lampeter (Saint David's) |VT in Multi-Media
University College | Management
Leicester University |Biotechnology
Leicester University |Cognitive Sciences and
| Manmade Machines
Leicester University |CONS and Interpret. ARCH.
| Sites Spain
Leicester University |CONS and Interpret. of ARCH
| Sites (Italy)
Leicester University |CONSV and History of Urban
| Environment
Leicester University |Geograph INFO Systems and
| COMP Cartography
Leicester University |High TECH Training for
| Unemployed
Leicester University |High Level Training for LTU
Leicester University |High TECH Training for
| Unemployed
Leicester University |High TECH Training for
Leicester University |High TECH Training for
| Unemployed
Leicester University |Techniques ADV Biotechnol.
Leicester University |TRANS Training CONS
| Cultural Heritage
Liverpool University |Advanced Scientific
| Computation
Liverpool University |High Level Training
| Engineering/Science
Liverpool University |Materials and Chemical
| Sciences
Liverpool University |New TECH APPLIC to
| Management and Admin
Liverpool University |New TECH APPLIC to
| Planning MGT
Liverpool University |Psychology
Liverpool University |VT Computer Sciences
London School of Hygiene and |Training in Medical Statistics
Tropical Medicine
Loughborough University of |Advanced Industrial Ergonomics
Technology
Loughborough University of |Advanced Industrial Materials
Technology
Loughborough University of |Advanced Plastics and Rubbers
Technology
Loughborough University of |Computer Integrated
Technology | Manufacturing
Loughborough University of |Construction MGT Training
Technology
Loughborough University of |CONTEMP. European Studies
Technology | for Women
Loughborough University of |European Construction ENG
Technology | Training
Loughborough University of |Industrial Mathematical
Technology | Modelling
Loughborough University of |INFO Technology Conversion
Technology
Manchester University |APPLIC of Physical and
| Computing Science
Manchester University |Biocomputing and
| Biomathematics
Manchester University |Engineering Conversion Course
Manchester University |VOC Train for LTU High Level
| QUALIF
Newcastle Upon Tyne |Computing Science Conversion
University
Newcastle Upon Tyne |European Property Development
University
Salford University |Advanced Engineering
Salford University |Advanced Manufacturing
Salford University |Computational Applications
Salford University |Environmental Management
Salford University |IT in Construction
Salford University |Radiation and Analytical
| Chemistry
Southampton University |Micropalaeontology for the Oil
| Industry
Southampton University |Operational Research
Southampton University |Training in Biochem
| Pharmocology
Southampton University |VT in Social Statistics
St. Andrews University |Information Technology
St. Andrews University |Information Technology
Swansea (University College) |European Training Development
Swansea (University College) |Management Training for
| Women
Swansea (University College) |VT in Design Engineering and
| IT
Swansea (University College) |VT in Electrical Engineering
Swansea (University College) |VT in IT
UMIST, Bursars Dept. |Biotechnology and Bioreactor
| Systems
UMIST, Bursars Dept. |Chemical Technology
UMIST, Bursars Dept. |Chemistry of Advanced
| Materials
UMIST, Bursars Dept. |Computation
UMIST, Bursars Dept. |Corrosion Science and ENG
UMIST, Bursars Dept. |Information Systems
| Engineering
UMIST, Bursars Dept. |Instrumentation and Analytical
| Science
UMIST, Bursars Dept. |Machine Translation
UMIST, Bursars Dept. |Manufacturing Technology
UMIST, Bursars Dept. |Metallic and Ceramic Materials
UMIST, Bursars Dept. |MSC Textile Design
| Technology
UMIST, Bursars Dept. |Paper Technology
UMIST, Bursars Dept. |Polymer Science and
| Technology
UMIST, Bursars Dept. |VSLI Systems Engineering
University College London |Applications of Geographic
| INFO Systems
University College London |Biotechnology Training Scheme
Warwick University |Analytical Methods
Warwick University |Parallel Computers and
| Computation
Institute of Occupational |Occupational Hygiene Education
Medicine
HOME DEPARTMENT
Prisoners
Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the weekly cost of keeping a prison inmate in prison in England and Wales as at 8 January.
Mr. Michael Forsyth: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Tom Cox, Dated 6 February 1995: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the weekly cost of keeping an inmate in prison in England and Wales.
The most recent published figures are for the financial year 1993 94 when the average cost per prisoner place per week was £437.
Mr. David Nicholson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the annual cost at current prices of keeping a man in a high security prison.
Mr. Michael Forsyth: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter for Derek Lewis to Mr. David Nicholson, dated 6 February 1995:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the annual cost of keeping a prisoner in a high security prison.
The annual average net operating cost per prisoner place in dispersal prisons in 1993 94 was £26,671.
Temporary Release (Prisoners)
Lady Olga Maitland: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will bring forward measures to ensure that prisoners will be considered for temporary
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release or home leave only if they have been declared as drug free.Mr. Michael Forsyth: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Derek Lewis to Lady Olga Maitland, dated 6 February 1995:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question about whether measures will be brought forward to ensure that prisoners will be considered for temporary release or home leave only if they have been declared as drug free.
Instructions to Governors on the operation of temporary release and home leave require an in-depth risk assessment to be carried out before a prisoner is granted any form of release on temporary licence. The assessment requires full account to be taken of specific areas of concern such as drug abuse where these would increase the risk of re-offending or danger to the public.
Mandatory drug testing is being introduced as part of the Service's initiative against misuse of drugs in prison. The results of the tests will be used for risk assessment purposes in the grant of temporary release and home leave. No prisoner found to be using drugs, who presents a risk to public safety or who is likely to re-offend, will be released from prison temporarily. Where a prisoner has tested positively and is not considered a risk to public safety, there will equally be a clear presumption to refuse temporary release or home leave, save in exceptional circumstances.
Prisons
Mr. George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison establishments have achieved 12 hours unlocking; what activities have been provided for the prisoners; and what are the implications for staff and inmate safety.
Mr. Michael Forsyth: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. George Howarth, dated 6 February 1995:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of prisons which are unlocking prisoners for more than 12 hours on weekdays, the types of activities provided for inmates and the implications for staff and inmate safety.
On 31 December 1994, 60 prisoners were unlocking prisoners for at least 12 hours on weekdays. In December 1994, prisoners were spending on average 26.5 hours per week engaged in purposeful activities broken down as follows:
Activity |Percentage time
|spent
------------------------------------------------------------
Work
domestic |19
workshops |14
kitchens |9
farms and gardens |4
other work |4
Education and Training |20
Other
PE |9
induction |3
chaplaincy |2
other structured activities |16
Prison Governors are required to ensure that prisoners are engaged in active and demanding regimes which are relevant to their needs and to the reasons they are in prison. Such regimes have an important part to play in maintaining a stable prison system.
Column 109
Prisoners
Mr. George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were declassified from A to B and B to C during the last 12 months.
Mr. Michael Forsyth: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. George Howarth, dated 6 February 1995:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of prisoners who have been declassified from A to B and B to C during the last 12 months.
During the period from January to December 1994, 25 prisoners were recategorised from category A to B.
Recategorisations from category B to C are the responsibility of Governors of prisons and no central records are kept. I regret, therefore, that the information requested about this group of prisoners is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Ministerial Statements
Ms Janet Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he took to ensure that his statements to the House on 10 January columns 31 34 and the Home Affairs Select Committee on 25 January met the requirements of paragraph 27 of "Questions of Procedure for Ministers".
Mr. Howard: I am satisfied that my recent statements to the House and to the Home Affairs Select Committee are consistent with "Questions of Procedure for Ministers".
Blakenhurst Prison
Mr. George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest available figure for the number of disturbances at Blakenhurst prison.
Mr. Michael Forsyth: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. George Howarth, dated 6 February 1995:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the latest available figures for the number of disturbances at Blakenhurst prison.
There has only been one significant disturbance at Blakenhurst, which took place in February 1994, involving 150 prisoners and resulting in property damage of about £30,000, which was paid for by the contractors. There were no injuries to staff or prisoners and the security of the prison was not threatened.
On 5 September 1994 there was an incident involving a small cell fire, and during which a Prison Custody Officer was assaulted. There have been nine other incidents of passive or minor concerted indiscipline in the twenty months since the prison opened.
Overseas Domestic Workers
Mrs. Roche: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 30 January, Official Report, columns 512 13 , how his Department will monitor the new arrangement that a domestic worker must be provided with a separate bedroom.
Column 110
Mr. Nicholas Baker: Inquiries will be made as to the accommodation of domestic workers when they apply for further leave to remain in the United Kingdom.
Visitors
Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) on what basis and under what conditions Dr. Svdja Trifkovic visits or resides in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement;
(2) on what basis and on what dates Jovan Zametica was allowed admission into the United Kingdom during the past eight weeks; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Nicholas Baker: It would be contrary to our normal practice to disclose information to third parties on a person's immigration status.
Prisons (Damage)
Mrs. Roche: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the cost of refurbishing prisons and relocating prisoners as a result of damage caused by prisoners acting unlawfully in prisons in Greater London in each year since 1979.
Mr. Michael Forsyth: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Services, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Derek Lewis to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 6 February 1995:
The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question concerning the cost of refurbishing prisons and re-locating prisoners as a result of damage caused by prisoners acting unlawfully in prisons in Greater London in each year since 1979.
Detailed information prior to June 1988 is not available. Greater London establishments, represented by Belmarsh prison, Wormwood Scrubs prison, Brixton prison, Wandsworth prison, Pentonville prison, Feltham Young Offenders Institution, and Holloway prison, reported 9 incidents between 7 August 1988 and 31 December 1994, in which there was damage to prison property, as follows:
Date |Establishment |Reported Damage ------------------------------------------------------------------- 8th April 1990 |HMP Brixton |Minor 8th April 1990 |HMP Pentonville|Minor 5th November 1991 |HMYOI Feltham |Minor 2nd July 1992 |HMP Belmarsh |Minor 2nd July 1992 |HMP Belmarsh |Minor 29th August 1992 |HMP Belmarsh |Minor 27th July 1993 |HMP Belmarsh |Minor 2nd October 1994 |HMP Belmarsh |Minor 10th December 1994 |HMP Belmarsh |Extensive
Where the damage was reported as minor, the costs were met locally within the prison. In most cases, where details are available, the damage was caused to furnishings rather than fabric. In the Belmarsh incident of 10 December 1994, where the damage was reported as extensive the cost of repair was approximately £10,000.
Details of prisoners who were re-located are not recorded centrally, unless re-location occurs in serious situations at the time of the incident. None of the reports on these incidents indicated that any prisoners were re- located to other prisons at the time, though, some may have been at a later date. Some were re-located within the establishment where the incident occurred.
Mrs. Roche: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of refurbishing prisons as a result of damage caused by prisoners acting unlawfully in each of the years 1979 to 1985.
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Mr. Michael Forsyth: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from A. J. Butler to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 6 February 1995:
The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the cost of damage to Prison Service establishments between the years 1979 to 1985.
I am afraid that this information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
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