§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the latest estimated cost for the building of Alvington Prison before that project was abandoned in July 1968; what plans he has for a purpose-built dispersal prison; if so, what stage the plans have reached; and what is the current estimated cost.
§ Mr. JohnA provisional estimate of the cost of the Alvington project at its abandonment was £2.6 million at 1968 prices to accommodate 120 prisoners. A purpose-built dispersal prison for some 450 prisoners is now being built at Low Newton, Durham, to begin operating by 1981 at a currently estimated cost of 185W £11.9 million. Both figures exclude the cost of staff housing.