§ Ms Roseanna CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the proposed start date for the construction of the new prison at Bowhouse, Kilmarnock; [37350]
(2) what sites in Scotland are being currently considered for new prisons. [37351]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonNegotiations with private sector consortia for the new privately financed prison await the outcome of the application for outline planning permission now with East Ayrshire council. Subject to outline approval being granted readily, construction work might be expected to begin in late 1997 or early 1998. As for further new prisons, local authorities226W in the central belt of Scotland are to be approached in the near future with a view to identifying potential prison sites in this area.