§ Sir Charles IrvingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what he is doing to speed up the completion of the Pentonville extension;
(2) when the extension at Pentonville was originally expected to be completed; and what the completion date now is.
§ Mr. MellorNo plans exist for extending accommodation at Her Majesty's prison Pentonville but a phased programme of improvement work is under way. This includes the refurbishment of the four living blocks, including installation of integral sanitation, and improvements to ancillary facilities.
Refurbishment of the first living block is virtually complete and, on current plans, the remaining blocks should be finished by 1994. Work is due to start in the coming year on a new reception area and improvements to the gate. Other work planned in the next few years includes a new kitchen which should be ready by 1993–94.