Bail Accommodation and Support Service

Mr. Grieve
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many places are to be provided under his Department's contract with Stonham for the Bail Accommodation and Support Service;

(2) how much has been paid to Clearsprings Ltd in respect of the Bail Accommodation and Support Service in (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09 and (c) 2009-10.

Mr. Straw
The contract with Stonham for the Bail Accommodation and Support Service requires an initial provision of a maximum of 740 bed spaces. However, directors of Offender Management will review demand in their region from time to time.

The amount paid to ClearSprings for the bail accommodation and support service for 2007-08 was £4.5 million and for 2008-09 was £5.8 million. In the current financial year until the end of December 2009, £4.5 million has been paid.