Population (Hansard, 11 December 1958)

§ 9. Mr. V. Yates
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the present proportion of the prison population on remand awaiting trial.

§ Mr. Renton
On 2nd December, 1958, the prison population totalled 22,270 of whom 1,606, or 7.2 per cent. were classified as untried prisoners.

§ Mr. Yates
In view of the fact that I recently called the Minister's attention to the case of a young man in Birmingham who was in prison on remand for several months before having his trial and then was placed on probation, and in view of the fact that an eminent judge has recently called attention to this state of affairs, will the Under-Secretary consider whether it is possible for some further accommodation to be provided for such a large number of people awaiting trial rather than that they should be kept in prison? Would not that reduce the prison population considerably?

§ Mr. Renton
My right hon. Friend, in consultation with the Prison Commissioners and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, is planning further prison building on a considerable scale. To meet the immediate need the Commissioners are taking steps to acquire redundant Government properties in the hope of overcoming this problem.

§ 27. Mr. Hale
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for the period of 12 months to the most recent convenient date for computation, the average daily population of local prisons for male prisoners; and how many of these are confined because of a failure to obtain or provide bail, and how many for failure to comply with any other order for the payment of money.

§ Mr. Renton
In 1957 the daily average male population of local prisons was 13,283. Of these 231 were in prison in default of payment of fines, and 746 were civil prisoners, the majority of whom were in prison for failing to comply with orders to make payments of money. The number of persons imprisoned because of failure to find bail is not known.

§ Mr. Hale
Is the Under-Secretary aware that it ought to be known? Is he aware that my own computations and visits to local prisons have shown that something up to 25 per cent. of the population of local prisons may be there either because of a refusal to grant bail, or because of non-compliance with an order for the payment of money? Is not that one of the principal causes of overcrowding in prisons? Is it not a matter that could be dealt with, and will the hon. and learned Gentleman call the attention of magistrates to the fundamental right of a person to bail, except in very exceptional circumstances?

§ Mr. Renton
We have made a study of remands in one month earlier this year and the results of that study are now being analysed, but I have nothing more to add at the moment, except to say that it should give us some indication of the number of men on bail when remanded. Of course, my right hon. Friend has no power to give directions to the courts on how they should perform the duties placed upon them by Parliament. However, the hon. Gentleman will remember that earlier this year we passed the Maintenance Orders Act, which will come into operation early next year. We hope that that legislation will be beneficial in reducing the number of short-term prisoners.