HC Deb 15 January 2001 vol 361 cc91-2W
Mr. Bob Russell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to provide a new centre for visitors to Chelmsford Prison; and if he will make a statement. [144852]

Mr. Boateng

The visitors' centre at Chelmsford prison, as at many other establishments, is run by volunteers and funded by donations from local charitable organisations. The Governor and Area Manager responsible for Chelmsford prison are in discussion with various groups about its future development and operation. Communication links between the centre and the prison have been improved and a visitors' garden has been created funded by donations. However, there are no plans to provide a new centre.

Education expenditure in London prisons 1995–96 to 1999–2000
£
1995–96 1996–97 1997–93 1998–99 1999–2000
Belmarsh 358,845 348,315 416,002 440,854 684,469
Brixton 397,147 375,279 439,283 312,580 502,152
Feltham 366,453 398,786 467,272 592,115 634,931
Holloway 335,041 359,907 378,720 433,770 620,408
Latchmere House 44,912 19,332 19,200 18,524 16,168
Pentonville 293,064 236,496 264,547 318,295 467,904
Wandsworth 419,132 234,221 224,312 226,969 331,514
Wormwood Scrubs 276,294 275,121 289,530 280,952 379,575

Note:

1999–2000 and 1995–96 spend includes any VAT charged, but not VAT refunds. 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99 figures are net of VAT.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison inmates in England and Wales took education courses in each of the last three years. [145161]

The Governor plans to create a separate visitors' entrance to the prison incorporating a refurbished waiting room with toilets and baby changing facilities.

In the visits area itself, new brighter furniture has been provided in a less formal arrangement, and a crèche is now provided in visits as well as in the visitors' centre.