§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the cost of the new young offenders' centre at Hydebank; and how the cost of construction and furnishing compares with the cost of (a) a prison, (b) a school, (c) an Army barrack and (d) a police station.
§ Mr. AlisonThe young offenders' centre at Hydebank Wood was built and equipped at a total cost of £7¼ million-approximately £24,000 for each of the 300 places provided. This compares with capital expenditure of £15½3 million (£19,00 0 per prisoner place on the basis of one prisoner to a cell) for Maze cellular prison, whch has 800 cells.
It is not possible to produce meaningful comparative costings for a school, an army barracks and a police station. Their respective roles are quite different and as such the facilities provided cannot be equated with those required in a penal establishment.