§ Mr. Whitakerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will draw up and discuss with the relevant local authorities a plan for the removal of some of the older prisons from central urban areas, so that their land can be developed for housing, and more modern prisons built in less crowded areas with part of the proceeds.
§ Mr. Elystan MorganAlthough my right hon. Friend is giving greater emphasis in the prison building programme to the redevelopment of old urban prisons, it will be necessary to phase this work over some years. He will continue to consult local authorities as the occasion arises, but, in general, sites are unlikely to be available which are as convenient to the courts, as economical to develop and as suitable in other ways as many of the existing sites.