§ Mr. WilshireTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the delay in signing the contract for the building of a privatised prison at Ashford (Middlesex). [66493]
§ Hilary Benn[holding answer 2 July 2002]: There has been a delay in signing the contract for the new prison at Ashford due to problems arising from insurance. Discussions are continuing between the contractor and the Prison Service with a view to solving these problems.