§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in view of the sharp increase in prison populations expected by the end of 1974 what programme for the provision of new prisons he is able to announce.
§ Mr. MaudlingIt is hoped to start work on more than 20 major new penal establishments in England and Wales in the next five years; and a small number of places should be available in the first of these by the end of 1974. It is also planned to increase the capacity of a number of existing establishments, and planning clearance has been sought for the adaptation of three camps no longer needed by the services. By this combination of measures, the total capacity should be increased by about 7,000 places by the end of 1974.