HL Deb 24 September 2002 vol 638 c255WA
Lord Kilclooney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans they have for the disposal of the former Maze Prison in Northern Ireland. [HL5137]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

Since the announcement by Her Majesty's Government of the gifting to the Northern Ireland Assembly of the Maze Prison site, the Prison Service has been putting in place arrangements to allow for the release of the site.

The timing of the release will be determined by operational factors, including the availability of adequate contingency accommodation within the prison estate and the need to relocate a number of operational units from Maze to other locations. It is not therefore possible at this stage to put a precise timescale on the site's release.