asked the Home Secretary if he can now give the names of local authorities which have approached him with a view to the taking over of the site of Pentonville Prison for working-class housing; whether any particular local authority has been selected and is being definitely negotiated with; if any price has been fixed; and how soon work will commence?

Before my right hon. Friend can consider entering into any negotiations for the sale of Pentonville Prison, he will have to determine whether satisfactory arrangements can be made for alternative accommodation of the large number of prisoners now sent to Pentonville. This is a very difficult problem, and while my right hon. Friend can assure my hon. Friend that there has been and will be no delay in examining the many financial and administrative questions which arise, he is not yet in a position to announce any conclusion.