HC Deb 09 November 1961 vol 648 cc1149-50
13. Mr. Cleaver

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons not of United Kingdom origin were in Her Majesty's prisons on 31st December, 1960; if he will state the countries from whence they came; and how much per annum it is costing to keep them in prison.

Mr. Fletcher-Cooke

I regret that this information is not available.

Mr. Cleaver

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that many members of the public feel that there are large numbers of foreigners in our prisons? In view of the fact that we have so many people sleeping three in a cell and that in any case it costs the taxpayers a lot of money, will he look into the matter?

Mr. Fletcher-Cooke

My hon. Friend's original Question related to persons not of United Kingdom origin, which is a somewhat different question from that of foreigners. However, we are looking into the matter, and it will obviously come up for debate under the Commonwealth Immigrants Bill.