David Stewart raises the timetable and cost of HMP Highland with Scottish Government
29 September 2011
After lodging a Parliamentary Question in the Scottish Parliament, asking the Government when it planned acquiring the site for HMP Highland, David Stewart Highlands & Islands Labour MSP ascertained from the Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, MSP, that it will be during the spending period 2012 -2015.
In relation to a separate question from Mr. Stewart about the costs involved, he was advised again by Kenny MacAskill MSP that it would be in the region of £52m.
David Stewart MSP said " HMP Porterfield, Inverness is currently bursting at the seams, so it is important that work progresses to identify and acquire a new site as soon as possible.
"At least now we know that this will happen in the next four years, but hopefully the Government will undertake this work sooner rather than later".
Commenting on the estimate cost of £52m, Mr Stewart said,
" It is £52m now, but the longer the Government drags its heels on this issue the higher this figure will rise.
"I would encourage the SNP Administration to pull out all the stops to get this project off the ground sooner rather than later".
Parliamentary Questions raised by David Stewart on the matter
Justice
26 September 2011
David Stewart : To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of building HMP Highland will be.
Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:
The cost of building HMP Highland will depend on a range of factors, including site characteristics, planning conditions, market conditions at the point of awarding a construction contract etc. The Scottish Prison Service currently estimates that the cost of HMP Highland will be around £52 million.
David Stewart : To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-00788 by Kenny MacAskill on 24 June 2011, when it expects the acquisition of the site for HMP Highland to be finalised.
Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:
As announced on 21 September 2011 in the Scottish Government Spending Review 2011 and Draft Budget 2012-13, the Scottish Prison Service will acquire a site for HMP Highland during the spending review period (2012-15).
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