§ 38. Miss Baconasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the average prison population of the Leeds prison; how many cells are occupied by three men; and the average number of men in the prison who are on remand and awaiting trial.
§ Mr. VosperThe average male population of Leeds prison during 1959 was 865. On 12th January, 1960 the number of cells occupied by three men was 114. The average number of prisoners on remand and awaiting trial was 147.
§ Miss BaconWould the right hon. Gentleman agree that to have over 800 prisoners in a prison built for 400 shows a very great degree of overcrowding? Would he also agree that the prison population must vary from time to time? I have been told that on occasions one-third of the men in the prison are on remand awaiting trial. In view of the recent report, has he any proposal to put forward so that the number of prisoners in prison on remand and awaiting trial can be reduced?
§ Mr. VosperI entirely agree with the first part of the hon. Lady's supplementary question. The question of prisoners on remand is being considered in part by the Streatfeild Committee, and it is also due to be solved in part by the provision of remand centres.