HC Deb 17 July 1893 vol 14 cc1703-4
MR. A. C. MORTON

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether all persons sentenced in the Metropolis to imprisonment are confined in prisons within the Metropolis; what was the number, distinguishing male and female, of such prisoners on 1st June, 1893, in each prison, and whether there are sufficient, and, if so, what, number of properly certified cells in each prison, distinguishing male and female cells, for their accommodation; and whether persons sentenced in any other counties or boroughs, and, if so, how many, were confined in the Metropolitan prisons on the stated day?

MR. ASQUITH

In order to answer this question, it is necessary to know the precise meaning to be attached to the word "Metropolis"; even then it would take a long time to go through all the committals of prisoners, approaching 4,000, who were in custody on June 1 to ascertain how many were committed within the boundary intended by the word "Metropolis" and how many from outside it. As there are 4,392 certified cells, besides others in the infirmaries, and associated accommodation for special cases besides, there is obviously ample accommodation for the prisoners of the Metropolis, however it may be defined.