62 and 63. Mr. R. S. YOUNGasked the Home Secretary (1) the area occupied by Holloway Prison, its capacity for accommodating prisoners, and its average prison population for the last five years; and if it is one of His Majesty's prisons under consideration to be closed;
(2) the area occupied by Pentonville Prison; its capacity for accommodating prisoners; its average prison population during the last five years; if it is one of His Majesty's prisons likely to be closed; and, if so, whether he will give preference to the housing authorities concerned for the purchase of the site, etc., for working-class housing?
§ Mr. CLYNESHolloway and Pentonville Prisons occupy 12¼ acres and 10 acres respectively. Holloway has accommodation for 91V, and over the last five years has had a daily average population of 304. Pentonville has accommodation for 1,160, and over the last five years has had a daily average population of 666. I do not think it will be practicable to close Holloway Prison, but I should be prepared to examine the possibility of disposing of Pentonville should a housing authority wish to acquire the site. In considering such an offer, I should certainly bear in mind the suggestion made by my hon. Friend, but, as I informed him last week, the cost of providing another prison would first have to be considered.
§ Mr. CLYNESNot definitely for the purpose of acquiring the site.
§ Mr. HARRISWill the right hon. Gentleman offer this site to the London County Council, who want sites in the North of London for housing purposes?
§ Mr. CLYNESIt is on offer to anybody who may require it.