§ MR DISRAELI (Cheshire, Altrincham)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the extent of the damage done by the recent tire at His Majesty's Female Convict Prison at Aylesbury; what portion of the prison was destroyed; what will be the cost of rebuilding; and whether the work of restoration has been commenced.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. AKERS DOUGLAS,) Kent, St. Augustine'sThe fire destroyed the interior of the building, which contained the administrative offices, the chapel, the officers' infirmary and the stores; it also destroyed the roof—but only the roof—of the central hall of the prison, from which the wings containing the cells radiate. The rein statement is estimated to cost about £5,000. The reconstruction of the roof of the central hall is, as a matter of urgency, being taken in hand at once, and plans are being prepared for the remainder of the work.