§ Mr. OppenheimTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future location of the headquarters of the prison service.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerIn January 1990 my predecessor announced that the headquarters of the prison service would be relocated to the midlands. Following a detailed evaluation of a number of options I have now authorised the opening of negotiations with developers for the construction of a new headquarters building for the prison service at St. Mary's wharf, Derby.
If these negotiations are successful work on site could start later this year with the building being ready for occupation in late 1993 or early 1994. Some posts may move to temporary accommodation in Derby in advance of the general move.
Final details have yet to be settled, but I estimate that around 1,900 posts will eventually be relocated to Derby, 1,500 of these from central London. At least 800 of the 1,900 posts will be filled by local recruitment.