To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost to date of the prison building programme; what is the estimated cost of the remaining planned institutions; and if he will make a statement.

The total capital cost of the 8 prisons already constructed is £223 million, at outturn prices. The costs of the remaining 16 prisons in the current prison building programme are estimated at £1,132 million, also at outturn prices, of which £336 million had been spent up to the end of March 1990.