HC Deb 16 February 1984 vol 54 c282W
24. Mr. Hayes

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to alleviate prison overcrowding.

27. Mr. Greenway

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to alleviate prison overcrowding.

30. Mr. Aitken

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to alleviate prison overcrowding.

32. Mr. Wood

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to alleviate prison overcrowding.

Mr. Hurd

My right hon. and learned Friend is pressing ahead with the major prison building programme initiated by his predecessor. In addition, he has recently added four new prison projects to the 10 originally planned. By 1991 this will provide 6,600 places in 14 new prisons and a further 4,000 as a result of redevelopments in existing prisons. He has reduced the minimum qualifying period for payrole from 12 months to six months with effect from 1 July 1984 and is considering measures to keep or move certain groups of offenders out of prison.