§ 14. Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are serving sentences in Her Majesty's prisons at the present time.
§ Mr. BrittanOn 15 October 1979, there were 35,287 persons serving sentences in prison department establishments in England and Wales.
§ Mr. KnoxDoes not my hon. and learned Friend agree that these figures are much too high, and has he any proposal to reduce the number? When will the Government announce a decision on the proposals in the May report concerning prison building?
§ Mr. BrittanI agree that the figures are too high. The proposals contained in the May report, together with other suggestions that have been made for reducing the prison population, are being considered. I cannot yet say when it will be possible to announce decisions relating to them.
§ Mr. Kilroy-SilkWill the Minister of State tell us what action will be taken—I hope soon—to remove from prisons the mentally ill and disordered, the vagrants, the drunks and petty offenders? Will he say whether the Government will implement the recommendations in the report of the advisory council on the penal system as to shorter sentences?
§ Mr. BrittanThe hon. Gentleman has raised a number of matters. The removal of the mentally ill from prisons clearly involves my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services. He continues to press the health authorities to make proper provision for such offenders, including the establishment of regional secure units. Many, if not most, of the other proposals can be considered in the light of the May report, which is what we are doing.