To ask the Minister of Justice for an update on the submission of an outline business case by the Northern Ireland Prison Service for the new build proposal for Magilligan Prison.

Mr Ford

The outline business case for the redevelopment of Magilligan prison was submitted to DOJ financial services division for scrutiny in August this year. My officials are assessing its content, and Prison Service officials have been working closely with them to address some of the finer details. Once the financial services division officials confirm that they are content with the outline business case, they will submit it to the Department of Finance for approval.

Mr Ford

I am tempted to say that Ms Sugden should take that question to the Minister of Finance, but I shall try to answer it seriously. It is not clear at this stage what finance will be available. The timeline that we are looking at is for a phased redevelopment that would allow the prison to remain in operation while building work is done, which could take until 2022-23. On that basis, the capital sums required in any one year are relatively modest and within what we anticipate being the Department of Justice's capital budget, but, clearly, there is competition for priorities — no doubt, at some point soon, other Members will jump up and refer to Hydebank Wood and Maghaberry as well as any other DOJ responsibility. I believe that it is realistic, given the planned phasing, but we will have to see how things develop in the next CSR period.

Mr Campbell

The Minister will be aware of the long-running interest that my constituency colleagues and I have in the issue. I welcome his reference to a phased development. When the business case returns and he makes representations to the Department of Finance and the Minister thereof, will he ensure that the case is pressed very vigorously so that the phased development that he referred to can begin as quickly as possible?

Mr Ford

Mr Campbell really is asking me to put my neck in the noose with people from other constituencies as well. I believe that we have a realistic programme. Clearly, some areas in Magilligan are of higher priority than others. Some accommodation is fundamentally not fit for purpose: some of the cellular blocks need replacement as a very urgent priority. On the other hand, some of the other facilities for learning and skills workshops, although far from ideal, do not require replacement on the same basis. I am sure that the Minister of Finance, with his customary pleasant look at the needs of the Department of Justice, will take account of that, especially if one of his party colleagues, the Member of Parliament for the aforementioned constituency, lobbies him with me.

Mr Dallat

For the Minister to appreciate the absolute priority that this should be, would he be prepared to spend a night in Magilligan prison to experience the conditions under which the staff and inmates exist? Indeed, I would have no objection if he spent several nights in it.

Mr Ford

That is quite interesting because I remember that, on one occasion, members of a local council invited me to visit a Department of Justice courthouse. They felt that they were inviting me to their courthouse, whereas, in fact, it was mine. I am not quite sure whether, technically, Mr Dallat has the right to invite me to spend the night in one of my prisons. I am also not sure that there are enough free cells, as I cannot imagine that anybody would want to share a cell with me. On a serious note, I was in Magilligan for a detailed visit in the early part of the summer and am well aware of the inadequacies of the physical accommodation. Certainly, the H-blocks and some of the facilities in Foyleview, the open unit outside the prison, are of a decidedly third- or fourth-rate nature, yet some exceptionally good work is being done. On the day I was there, over half of the prisoners in Foyleview were out doing some constructive work for the benefit of local charities, community groups and churches, which is clearly the kind of rehabilitation work that is needed, but we need to get the buildings fit for the purpose of many of the programmes delivered in them. So, I might not go and stay the night, but I assure Mr Dallat that I will continue to visit it by day.

Mr Principal Deputy Speaker

We are getting very close to time.