asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he intends to take on the recommendations of the May committee on the prison service regarding the reorganisation of headquarters.

As I announced in my statement to the House on 31 October, I welcome the emphasis placed by the May committee on the standing and sense of identity of the prison service and I am considering its recommendations for a reorganisation of the prison department with that in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response, if any, he has had from organisations representing people employed in the prison service to the May report on the prison service.

A number of such organisations have made known to me some preliminary views on the report of the May committee.