HC Deb 20 January 1986 vol 90 c5W
Mr. Soley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which major prison works developments have been held up as a result of the prison department's decisions communicated to prison governors in August 1985.

Mr. Mellor

The letting of contracts for the following major capital building schemes was deferred in order to keep within the cash limit on the relevant vote sub-head:

Prisons Building Schemes
Albany Fire precautionary measures in woodmill
Aylesbury Wing segregation
Birmingham Commissioning of staff facilities
Brockhill New visits and reception unit
Bullwood Hall Security fence
Channings Wood Additional living unit
Durham Staff mess
Erlestoke Further redevelopment
Frankland Staff facilities and car park extension
Manchester New hospital
Onley Extension to visits, reception and administration units
Pentonville Conversion of bathhouse to showers
Risley Additional car parking
Stocken Commissioning work
Thorn Cross Commissioning work

Contracts for some of these schemes have now been let; the remainder will follow during the next few months.

Mr. Soley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what types of maintenance and improvement work in prisons have been delayed as a result of the prison department's decision communicated to prison governors in August 1985.

Mr. Mellor

The non-urgent maintenance and improvement work delayed as a result of the measures taken to deal with the increased levels of the prison population included schemes of the following kinds:

  1. (a) House block renovation, and repairs to the fabric of other prison buildings, including workshops and ancillary accommodation.
  2. (b) Improvements to boiler houses and plant rooms and other electrical and mechanical work.
  3. (c) Repairs to roads and paths.
  4. (d) Upgrading and repair of drainage, water mains and sewage works.
  5. (e) Repairs to security walls and fences.
  6. (f) Upgrading and repair of staff facilities.
  7. (g) Other miscellaneous items.

All the projects that have been deferred will be undertaken at the earliest possible opportunity once funds become available.