§ Dr. Marekasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what consultations he proposes to undertake in the Wrexham area before the construction of an open prison at Bryn Estyn, Wrexham;
(2) what is his policy towards the building of a new prison at Bryn Estyn, Wrexham; and if he will make a statement;
(3) if he will place a copy in the Library of any plans he has to build a new prison at Bryn Estyn, Wrexham.
§ Mr. MellorInformal consultations are taking place with Clwyd county council and Wrexham Maelor borough council under the provisions of Department of the Environment circular 18/84, which governs development proposals by Government Departments, about a possible prison development on the site of the former Bryn Estyn community home near Wrexham. A site feasibility study is also being undertaken by the Property Services Agency. If it is ultimately decided to proceed with the project, a formal notice of proposed development under circular 18/84 will be lodged with the planning authority, with whom responsibility for local consultation would then rest. Our present thinking is that the site should be developed to provide a closed category C prison for about 600 inmates; we have no plans to build an open prison.