asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why it was decided to terminate the employment of civilian instructors at the Maze prison; how long it has been since they actually gave instruction to prisoners there where the prisoners concerned were members of terrorist organisations; what savings he expects as a result of their dismissal; and what the cost of employing them has been in each year since they last gave regular instruction to prisoners who were members of terrorist organisations.

[pursuant to his reply, 21 October 1985, c. 59]: The civilian instructors have not been required to instruct inmates in industrial tasks in Maze (cellular) prison, except on a few occasions, since the escape in September 1983. It was not economical to continue to employ them for a minimal amount of work, and it was therefore decided that they should be declared redundant.The total cost of employing the civilian instructors since September 1983 has been as follows: