Gummer to rule on prison ship

The Prison Service is appealing against a council's decision to refuse planning permission for a floating prison in Portland Harbour. In a letter accompanying a House of Lords written reply, Richard Tilt, director-general of the Prison Service, said his department had bought the floating jail, Resolution, which is at present undergoing repair and renovation work in New York.

But Weymouth and Portland Borough Council turned down an application to moor the prison ship at Portland. The matter has now been referred to the Secretary of State for the Environment, John Gummer. The Prison Service is hoping to get a decision on its appeal in mid-March.

The prison ship is to be renamed the Weare.