asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the policy of his Department in allowing prison officers to buy their own housing; and what financial help is given.

Our policy is that prison officers who wish to buy their own homes rather than living in free official quarters should be allowed to do so when ever possible. An officer with permission to live in private accommodation receives a rent allowance. In addition, an officer who provides his own accommodation following a transfer at public expense to another prison receives the same assitance as civil servants generally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what