§ Baroness Mallalieuasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in making the announcement of their intention to change the use of Finnamore Wood Camp from a young offenders institution (with effect from 1 April 1994) into an open prison for adult men, they consider themselves bound by the agreement in writing made between the Prison Commissioners and Buckinghamshire County Council on 18 July 1960 under Section 88 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1947 that such a change would require the assent of the council; and whether consent has been sought or obtained.
Earl FerrersResponsiblity for the subject of this Question has been delegated to the Prison Service and its Director General, Mr. Derek Lewis. The Director General has therefore arranged for a response to the Question and the letter is given below.
Letter to Baroness Mallalieu from the Director of Personnel and Services, HM Prison Service, Mr. A. J. Butler, dated 21 February 1994
Lord Ferrers has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the future use of Finnamore Wood Camp.
The 1960 agreement between the Prison Commissioners and the then local planning authority remains in force. The proposed change of use from a young offenders institution to an open prison for adult males will be the subject of an appropriate application to the current planning authority. This formal application will be lodged shortly with Wycombe District Council.