asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for the future use of Dartmoor Prison; and if he will make a statement.

The prison must continue in use for the present, but my right hon. Friend's intention is to close it when more accommodation becomes available elsewhere. In accordance with an undertaking given in 1962, my right hon. Friend will give at least three years' notice before transfer of the prisoners begins.

Will the right hon. Lady assure the House that adequate steps will be taken in the area to replace the form of employment which the prison now represents?

I could not give that assurance because it would be quite outside the scope of my right hon. Friend's Department. Obviously, the people who have most of the employment are the prison officers, and they will, of course, be employed in other prisons.