Written question asked by Huw Edwards (Labour) on Thursday, 3 May 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 May 2001. It was answered by Lord Boateng (Labour) on Thursday, 10 May 2001 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will meet the Prison Service Union to discuss the regime for prisoners and staffing at HMP Blakenhurst.

Answer: Mr. Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will meet the Prison Service Union to discuss the regime for prisoners and staffing at HMP Blakenhurst. [160705] Mr. Boateng: The Director General of the Prison Service has met with the Prison Service Union (PSU) representatives at Blakenhurst and assured them that the service will meet its obligations set out in the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981. The Governor-designate will consult the PSU regarding arrangements for implementation of the new regime. Management of the Prison Service will then meet with the PSU representatives this month. While we recognise that the PSU represents a number of prison officers throughout the Prison Service, the overwhelming majority choose to be represented by the Prison Officers Association (POA). As this is an operational matter, negotiations with the PSU should be conducted by Prison Service officials and it would be inappropriate for the Secretary of State to meet them.

Secondary information