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11 Nov 2003 : Column 242W—continued
Prisons
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to prevent overcrowding in prisons. [136249]
Paul Goggins: Levels of overcrowding are determined by Prison Service Area Managers and monitored carefully on the basis of operational judgment and experience.
As part of the Prison Service building programme, the Government are investing £1.3 billion in the three years up to 2005–06 on building and operating additional capacity. The Prison Service will provide around 3,000 additional places in existing prisons by 2006. A further 1,290 places will be provided through the new prisons currently under construction at Ashford (near Heathrow) and at Peterborough. In addition, a new unit at Birmingham prison has opened recently, six months ahead of schedule, and provides an additional 452 places.
We are further managing the prison population through the use of the Home Detention Curfew (HOC) through reforms to the criminal justice system.
An amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill will make foreign national prisoners who are serving determinate sentences of more than three months liable to deportation up to four and a half months early. The measure brings the foreign nationals in line with UK prisoners who are eligible to apply for HOC. The same risk assessment procedures will apply.
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Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vacancies there were at each (a) prison and (b) young offenders' institution on 30 June; and if he will make a statement. [136862]
Paul Goggins: Information on staff vacancies against planned posts at 30 June 2003, for each public sector prison and young offender institute is contained in the following table. The figures represent a snapshot of staffing at establishment level and do not take into account new staff who were still in the recruitment process on 30 June.
During 2002, recruitment in the Prison Service reached record levels with a total of 6,645 new staff joining the Service. 2,240 prison officers began initial officer training in the 12 months to 30 June 2003. This high level of recruitment activity is predicted to continue into next year due in part to the rising prison population and new accommodation coming on stream.
To assist in the retention of staff in particular areas, local pay allowances have been introduced. In addition, to cover vacancies in the short-term certain establishments are allowing officers to work additional hours as part of the 'Contracted Supplementary Hours Scheme'.
(20) Figures do not take into account new staff who were still in the recruitment process at 30 June 2003.
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Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there is public interest immunity in whistle blowing cases for (a) prison officers, (b) prison staff and (c) other personnel working within the Prison Service. [137080]
Paul Goggins: All staff working within the Prison Service are protected by the 'whistle blowing' provisions contained in the Employment Rights Act 1996.
Public Order
Mrs. Anne Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average length of time taken to implement a model Home Office bye-law to
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ban on-street drinking, from the day that the decision is taken by the local authority, was in the last year for which figures are available. [137238]
Ms Blears: This information is not available centrally and would be a matter for individual local authorities.
Road Safety
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions for (a) driving without due care and attention, (b) failing to have proper control of a vehicle, (c) careless and inconsiderate driving and (d) dangerous driving have been secured in connection with the use of (i) hand-held mobile phones and (ii) all types of mobile phone in each year since 1997. [137181]
Paul Goggins: The statistics collected centrally do not enable the convictions for motoring offences in connection with mobile phones to be separately identified.
As from 1 December 2003, the specific offence of driving while using a hand-held mobile telephone will be introduced under a new regulation to be added to the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986.
Small and Sporting Events Safety Guide
Jane Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the Small and Sporting Events Safety Guide; and if he will make a statement. [135082]
Ms Blears: The Event Safety—Best Practice Guide seeks to provide guidance to organisers of sporting and non-sporting events. We are consulting key stakeholders on a final draft. We hope to publish the guidance in the new year.
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