To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the prisons that inmates from Grendon prison have been sent to; and if he will make a statement.

Serious defects in the electrical systems at HM prison Grendon meant that the establishment had to be evacuated in December. Inmates have been temporarily moved to the following prisons:

• Aylesbury (one inmate only).
• Glen Parva
• Oxford (one inmate only).
• The Mount
• Swinfen Hall (two inmates only).
• Winchester
• Wormwood Scrubs (currently holding inmates originally destined for Parkhurst.

In view of the unique nature of Grendon's therapeutic regime, every effort is being made to enable receiving establishments to maintain that regime, wherever possible.Grendon inmates and staff will be returned to Grendon when the prison reopens. In the interim, urgent work is in hand to empty HMYOI Wellingborough of young offenders, and convert it for use as a temporary "new". Grendon. All young offenders should have been moved out by the end of this month. Grendon inmates will be individually assessed for their suitability for the levels of security at Wellingborough before they are transferred there.The two wings at Wellingborough not required for Grendon inmates will be occupied by category C adult male prisoners.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department why Grendon prison has been closed; and how long this prison will remain closed.

An electrical survey carried out at Her Majesty's prison Grendon revealed a number of serious faults which made it necessary to evacuate the establishment. The prison is likely to remain closed for between six and nine months while repair work is undertaken.