§ Mr. Michael WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the present maximum number of prisoners that Her Majesty's prison Lindholme accommodates; and if he has any plans to increase this number;
(2) if he has any plans to keep prisoners in Her Majesty's prison Lindholme of different categories from those held there at present.
§ Mr. John PattenThe maximum number of inmates that can presently be accommodated in uncrowded 685W conditions in Her Majesty's prison Lindholme is 750. A further 250 places are due to become available towards the end of this year and will be brought into operation when extra staff are in post and the necessary preparations have been completed. That is expected to be in late March next year. We have no plans to introduce prisoners other than those in security categories C and D as at present.
§ Mr. Michael WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ensure that all prisoners at Her Majesty's prison Lindholme have a release date.
§ Mr. John PattenSo far as we are aware, all prisoners at Her Majesty's prison Lindholme have been notified, in accordance with standing orders, of their earliest and latest dates of release and of the dates on which, if they are eligible for consideration for parole, they might, if selected, be released on licence. Delays can occur, however, for a variety of reasons, in reaching decisions on parole. If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind, perhaps he could let me know.