§ 76. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state in detail his plans for new prisons to replace old prisons, the changes in design he proposes and, in particular, what he proposes to do with the site of Dartmoor prison; and if he has yet decided where the new prison to replace Dartmoor prison will be put.
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§ Mr. R. A. ButlerThe new prisons which are being built are in addition to the existing prisons, which are still needed. Meanwhile, as I informed my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Warwick and Leamington (Mr. Hobson) on 17th March, some 30 institutions have in the last two-and-a-half years been either opened, started, or planned. Details of the new developments in prison design will be published in due course. I have ordered a public inquiry to be held into Che replacement of Dartmoor prison. This will take place on 25th April. I shall not reach a decision until I have received and studied the report of the inquiry.