asked the Secretary of State for Ireland what works are being carried out or are planned a prisons for women prisoners in Northern Ireland; what is the total cost of such works; and how these works will affect the total number of places available.

No significant works are being carried out or are planned at Her Majesty's prison, Armagh, which is the only women's prison in Northern Ireland.A new prison for women is presently under construction at Maghaberry, County Antrim and when it is opened in 1983 the existing prison at Armagh will be closed. The expected cost of the women's section of Her Majesty's prison, Maghaberry is approximately £3 million and it will provide facilities for 56 female prisoners.