asked the Minister for Justice the reason for the delay in allocating new uniforms to female prison officers who because of the delay are forced to wear civilian clothes.
Written Answers. - Female Prison Officers' Uniform.
697.
It is not accurate to say that any officer is being forced to wear her own clothing.
Last year, following agreement with staff representatives on the design of a new uniform for female prison officers, it was decided that the new uniforms should be introduced and appropriate arrangements were made with post office stores. Despite efforts by my Department and by post office stores to speed up supplies, delays occurred. There tend to be difficulties where tenders involve new specifications.
Delays in supplies of items of the new uniform led to female prison officers choosing a dramatic form of protest: all refused to wear their uniforms from 1 April 1982.
The present position is that all items of the new uniform bar the overcoats and caps are available but female prison officers continue to refuse to wear any uniform until complete sets of all the items are available. Of the total of 69 female officers only 19 are due replacement overcoats in accordance with the agreed arrangements and many officers do not apply for new caps for years on end even though they are entitled to apply every year.