HC Deb 15 November 1979 vol 973 cc715-6W
44. Mr. Farr

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to commence the implementation of the recommendations of the May report on the prison service.

Mr. Whitelaw

In my statement to the House on 31 October. I announced that the Government for their part accepted and were prepared to implement all the May committee's recommendations on pay and allowances. I am considering the committee's wide-ranging recommendations in other areas and hopes to reach decisions as soon as possible.

45. Mr. Stephen Ross

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the light of the report of the May committee, he can indicate what additional funds will now be made available to improve and modernise those prisons whose needs are highlighted in the report.

Mr. Whitelaw

As part of the present building programme, work is planned to improve and modernise existing prisons but I am reviewing this programme in the light of the May committee recommendations.

46. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to increase expenditure on the prison building programme.

Mr. Whitelaw

At a time of scarce public resources, the prison building programme already provides for 5,000 new places in refurbished establishments and in new prisons by the late 1980s. I am reviewing this programme in the light of the May committee recommendations.