Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Reading Gaol

Tuesday 12 September 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Matt Rodda asked about the progress of Reading Gaol's sale and mentioned a petition for an arts hub.
  • The Minister stated the sale is progressing but stressed that any development must be approved by Reading Borough Council's planning department.
  • Due diligence requirements apply to the sale process of Reading Gaol.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Matt Rodda Lab Reading Central
Culture, Media & Sport Local Government
Context

The sale of Reading Prison is proceeding with local constituents concerned about its future.

Question

What progress has been made on the sale of Reading Gaol? It is a hugely important historic building, and nearly 13,000 people have signed a petition asking for it to be turned into an arts hub. The Government's preferred bidder discussion took a long time with no visible progress.

Answer from Damian Hinds

The sale is progressing. Any proposed development would be subject to approval from Reading Borough Council's planning department. The usual due diligence requirements will apply. The hon. Member for Reading Central (Matt Rodda) and the right hon. Member for Reading West have been assiduous in their attention to this matter.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide a specific commitment or reconsideration of the approach regarding turning Reading Gaol into an arts hub.

How: We Quite Often Throw Around The Term “Doughty Campaigner” In This Chamber, But I Can Certainly Say That The Hon. Gentleman And My Right Hon. Friend Have Been Incredibly Assiduous In Their Attention To This Matter On Behalf Of Their Constituents.

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Q2 Matt Rodda Lab Reading Central
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The sale of Reading Prison is proceeding with local constituents concerned about its future.

Question

I thank the Minister for his answer, and for meeting me and the right hon. Member for Reading West recently to discuss this matter. Nearly 13,000 people have signed a petition asking for it to be turned into an arts hub. The discussion with the preferred bidder took a long time with no visible progress or slow progress being made. Will the Minister now reconsider the Government's approach and work with me, Reading Borough Council and the local arts community to save this wonderful building?

Answer from Damian Hinds

The sale is progressing. Of course, any proposed development would be subject to approval from Reading Borough Council's planning department, and the usual due diligence requirements will apply.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide a specific commitment or reconsideration of the approach regarding turning Reading Gaol into an arts hub.

How: We Quite Often Throw Around The Term “Doughty Campaigner” In This Chamber, But I Can Certainly Say That The Hon. Member For Reading Central And My Right Hon. Friend Have Been Incredibly Assiduous In Their Attention To This Matter.

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