HC Deb 08 February 1994 vol 237 cc153-4W
Mr. Boyes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to use Army camps and prison ships for accommodating prisoners.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange to a reply to be given.

Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Roland Boyes, dated 8 February 1994.

The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about prison ships and Army camps. The Prison Service is considering a number of options, including marine detention facilities and Army camps, as part of its contingency planning. The aim is to identify means for coping with any emergency where the prison population exceeds the available accommodation. There are no current plans to use either option.