Written question asked by Tom Cox (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 February 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 22 March 2005. It was answered by Paul Goggins (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 March 2005 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what average weekly pay was available to prisoners serving a prison sentence was in England and Wales in 2003-04; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what average weekly pay was available to prisoners serving a prison sentence was in England and Wales in 2003-04; and if he will make a statement. [218206] Paul Goggins: This information is not held centrally and can only be obtained at disproportional cost. It is for Governors to set the rates of pay for their establishment, against national criteria and minimum rates of pay, in a way that reflects their regime priorities. These rates are set out in Prison Service Order 4460. The minimum employed rate of pay is £4 per week.

Secondary information