asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the cost of converting Beckingham army camp in Lincolnshire into a temporary prison in 1981;(2) what was the cost of converting Rollestone army camp in Wiltshire into a temporary prison in 1981.

The capital costs of converting Beckingham and Rollestone camps to temporary prisons in 1981 were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the prison department relinquished Rollestone and Beckingham army camps; and to what use each camp was subsequently put.

The temporary prisons at Rollestone and Beckingham were vacated and returned to the Ministry of Defence for normal use at the end of November 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans his Department has to take over (a) Rollestone, (b) Beckingham and (c) any other army camps for use as temporary prisons during the forthcoming financial year; and if he will make a statement.

The temporary use of military camps for the accommodation of prisoners is among the options that would be considered should the need arise.