§ Mr. Soleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to improve hospital conditions in Wormwood Scrubs prison.
§ Mr. MellorThe Wormwood Scrubs hospital is at present located in temporary accommodation in B hall of the prison. The major cause of the present unsatisfactory conditions in the temporary hospital is a leaking steam main beneath the hall, and work is now in hand to remedy this.
Subject to financial approval, we expect to start the preliminary phase of an overall redevelopment of the prison at about the turn of the year. As part of that work, priority will he given to carrying out further remedial and upgrading work to the temporary hospital at a cost of £315,000.
Under a later phase of redevelopment it is planned to provide a permanent hospital and operating theatre within a new building linking the existing wings of the prison. It is hoped that work on this new building will start in 1988–89 and be completed in 1991–92.