asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the level of wages paid to prisoners was last reviewed; and when the next review will take place.

The rates of earnings paid to prisoners are reviewed annually and revised rates are brought into operation with effect from the first Monday in October of each year. The revised rates following the review undertaken in 1984 came into effect on 1 October 1984 and the revised rates resulting from the review currently being undertaken are expected to be operative from 7 October 1985.