§ Sir Brian MawhinneyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he expects to make an announcement about his proposal to build a new prison in Peterborough; [77446]
(2) on whose authority labour councillors in Peterborough have been informed that an announcement on a proposed new prison in Peterborough will be delayed until after the European election in June. [77447]
§ Mr. George HowarthI understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions expects to determine within the next three weeks the Prison Service's appeal against Peterborough City Council's refusal to grant planning permission for the construction of a new prison in Peterborough. I am not aware that any information about that decision has been given to local councillors.