HC Deb 07 July 1997 vol 297 cc361-2W
25. Mr. Whittingdale

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many new prisons are intended to be built over the next three years; and if he will make a statement.

Ms Joyce Quin

There are currently three new prisons being built under the Private Finance Initiative: HMP Altcourse (Liverpool), HMP Parc (Bridgend) and HMP Lowdham Grange (near Nottingham).

The Prison Service has plans and funding (under the PFI) to provide a further 2,400 places at new prisons over the next three years. Planning approval has been given to re-build HMP Pucklechurch, near Bristol, as a 400-place prison for males under 21. Planning approval has also been given to build an 800-place prison at Agecroft in Salford. The remaining 1,200 places will be provided by two more prisons once suitable sites have been agreed.