§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give for the latest most convenient stated date the number of persons in Her Majesty's prisons serving life sentences; and what is the estimated total cost of keeping these in prison for one year, taking account of prison upkeep, staff salaries and all other estimated costs.
§ Dr. SummerskillOn 15th November there were 1,063 prisoners in prison in England and Wales serving life sentences or ordered to be detained during Her218W Majesty's pleasure. It is not possible to isolate the cost of maintaining these particular prisoners, but over the prison system as a whole we estimate that the average cost of maintaining one inmate in custody in the present financial year is about £3,000.