§ 13. Mr WilshireTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future of the Ashford (Middlesex) remand centre site.
§ Mrs. RumboldWe are at present carrying out a review of the prison estate as a whole. The future of the Ashford site will be considered in the context of that review. In the 452 meantime, we plan to make the site suitable for recreation by local people and are discussing with Spelthorne borough council the detailed arrangements for this.
§ Mr. WilshireI thank my right hon. Friend for that reply, but does she recall that at a meeting before Christmas she told Spelthorne borough council that the site could be made available for between five and 10 years? Is she aware of my recent letter pointing out that her local officials now say that it can be made available for one year? Will she please clear up the confusion once and for all?
§ Mrs. RumboldMy hon. Friend will be glad to know that a letter is in the post to him, following my discussions with officials on that matter. I think that he will find the answer satisfactory.