Premier Alex Scott is keen to resume the quarterly meetings with controversial Prison Commissioner John Prescod which were begun under former premier Jennifer Smith.

Mr. Prescod was put on a tight rein and ordered to meet the Premier four times a year as a price for settling a prison officers' strike in May.

The meetings were supposed to bring the Premier up to date on progress being made by Mr. Prescod - whom the officers wanted sacked - on implementing board of inquiry recommendations.

Mr. Prescod said in August he hoped to meet Premier Scott shortly, but the Premier said yesterday a meeting had yet to be scheduled.

"I haven't been approached officially, but I am very happy to pick up where the former Premier left off and build on that," Mr. Scott told The Royal Gazette yesterday.

When asked for his assessment of relations between prison officers and Mr. Prescod, Mr. Scott said: "At the first meeting, I'll find out."

The Prison Officers Association (POA) met with Labour and Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Robert Horton on Monday, but neither side will disclose what took place at the meeting.

Mr. Horton said yesterday: "I met with the chairman of the POA and three of his executive colleagues.

"Of course, there were particular issues discussed, but I do not believe it is appropriate to share details of that meeting.

"We have held discussions and continue to hold discussions on issues of mutual interest. We are enjoying very positive exchanges at the moment."

The POA did not return calls seeking comment. Prison officers went on strike at the end of April and into May to demand Mr. Prescod be sacked for his "autocratic" management style and alleged failure to carry our recommendations of a board of inquiry held in 2001.