§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the proposed new prison which the prison department wishes to site at Woolwich Arsenal, indicating (a) the size of the area to be occupied, (b) the number and type of prisoners to be accommodated and (c) the estimated number of new jobs likely to be created.
§ Mr. BrittanNegotiations are proceeding between the Property Services Agency of the Department of the Environment and the Ministry of Defence about the possibility of acquiring land at Woolwich Arsenal for a new prison. If those negotiations are successfully concluded, a statement will be made on the area to be occupied, the probable number of prisoners and the implications for local employment.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when, and in what way, he proposes to consult (a) the London borough of Greenwich and (b) the local population about the proposed siting of a new prison at Woolwich Arsenal.
§ Mr. BrittanThere are standard procedures for consulting the local planning authority. If the negotiations 153W for the transfer of the land from the Ministry of Defence to the Home Office are successfully concluded, a formal notice of development will be sent to the London Borough of Greenwich and the Greater London Council. It is for the local planning authority to decide the form of consultation with local residents.