Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the deadline is for the negotiations with a preferred bidder for Reading Gaol; and what procurement process his Department plans to use to reopen its search for a new preferred bidder in the event that negotiations break down.

There have been some delays due to the coronavirus pandemic. The sale of Reading Prison is progressing and we expect to conclude negotiations with the preferred bidder this autumn. All matters relating to negotiations for the sale are commercially confidential.

There is no current deadline for the negotiations with the preferred bidder for Reading Prison.