Written question asked by Lord Beith (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 26 November 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 December 1998. It was answered by George Howarth (Labour) on Thursday, 3 December 1998 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if the Prison Service is directly liable for debts occurring in (i) staff messes and (ii) staff clubs in prison service establishments.

Answer: Mr. Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Prison Service is directly liable for debts occurring in (i) staff messes and (ii) staff clubs in prison service establishments; and if he will make a statement. [61907] Mr. George Howarth: The Prison Service is currently liable for debts incurred by staff messes in Prison Service establishments. Staff clubs are, according to current model rules, independent entities separate from Prison Service establishments. They are found by staff and the managing committee should be responsible for any debts that arise. In their day-to-day operation with creditors, however, clubs have, on occasions, failed to make it clear that they are a separate legal entity from the core Prison Service. Consequently, when problems have occurred, the Prison Service has not always been able to distance itself from liability in the minds of creditors. The worst cases have resulted in settlement of debts from public funds. The Prisons Board has approved a corrective course of action which, following implementation, will ensure public funds are not misused to clear mess and club debts, fines and penalties.

Secondary information