To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice what steps she has taken to ensure the Joint Industrial Relations Procedure Agreement process is followed regarding the dispute with the Prison Officers Association on the issuing of batons; and whether she intends to forward the dispute to an ACAS appointed arbitrator. (143356)

A Consent Order was signed by both the Prison Service and the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) on 3 May 2007 clarifying the disputes process under the Joint Industrial Relations Procedural Agreement. The POA wrote to the Prison Service on 8 June asking that it review its position on a number of disputes (including the issuing of extendable batons) in light of this order. This review is currently taking place and I will write to the hon. Member on its completion.