§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors led him to reject the proposals for building a prison in Winwick, near Warrington. [50245]
§ Ms QuinThe decision not to acquire the site of Winwick Hospital for the construction of a new prison was reached on financial grounds. This decision does not remove the urgent need for additional prison places to serve the North West.
§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors led him to approve proposals to build a prison on a site at Ashworth Hospital, Maghull, Merseyside. [50317]
§ Ms QuinThere is an urgent need for additional prison places to serve Merseyside. The Ashworth Hospital south site is ideally located to meet this need. The site meets the Prison Service's criteria in respect of affordability, size, topography, communication links and availability of mains services, and on planning grounds is considered an appropriate site for development.