HC Deb 19 May 1988 vol 133 cc1087-8
7. Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans his Department has to establish a remand centre in north Wales.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Douglas Hogg)

None at present. Last month the Prisons Building Board invited the private sector to submit outline proposals for the construction of urban remand centres. The responses are still being evaluated, but any new remand centres are likely to be sited in the main conurbations.

Mr. Jones

Is the Minister aware that the majority of remand prisoners in north Wales are held at Risley remand centre, which is a considerable distance from that region's rural areas? There is also concern about the conditions at Risley. Is the Minister not worried about the terrible inconvenience caused to the families of remand prisoners in having to travel the distances involved, as well as that caused to their solicitors and to the prisoners themselves? Will he review his decision and consider providing remand facilities in north Wales?

Mr. Hogg

There is a place in the building programme for a prison at Wrexham. Unfortunately, that proposal has not been received with complete enthusiasm by the local representatives. I hope that the point made by the hon. Gentleman will be considered by local residents.