To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the use of HM Prison Bristol as a Category A prison; what assessment he has made of the impact of the prison on local residential neighbourhoods; and what consultation was carried out with local residents. [35750]

On 15 January 1997, it was announced that Bristol prison would continue to have category A remand prisoners and would be one of eight prisons in England and Wales with improved security to be used for this purpose. This decision represented no change in the status of the prison and was not the subject of consultation with local residents. However, related building work was the subject of applications for planning clearance and the governor held an informal meeting with local councillors to explain these proposals before the applications were granted. Subsequently, concerns were raised by local residents and these have been addressed by the Prison Service through the governor by means of a public meeting, visits to the prison by residents, visits to residents in their homes and by consultation with the local residents' group and others. Modifications to the building work have been made as a result of this consultation, which continues.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what special arrangements are made at HM Prison Bristol in relation to its proximity to local schools; and if he will make a statement. [35751]

There is a primary school which has been situated across the road from Bristol Prison since the turn of the century. An infants and a nursery school, under the same management, are situated a little further away. The prison staff have long maintained very close relations with the schools and senior staff meet regularly with the headmaster to discuss and resolve any problems that might arise. The prison has a "good neighbour" policy towards the schools and co-operates in a number of schemes for the pupils' benefit. At a recent public meeting, the headmaster praised the attitude of the prison towards his schools and emphasised the excellent rapport between them. The police have rescheduled court escort arrangements to avoid, whenever possible, times when schoolchildren might be on the local streets.