§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is 366W his policy on mothers and babies being held in prison; and whether he has any proposals designed to avoid such a situation.
Dr. SununerskillIt is for the court to decide whether a custodial sentence should be passed in any particular case. Our intention is that there should be sufficient suitable accommodation in women's establishments to ensure that if a sentence is passed on the mother of a young child she will not have to be refused permission to keep her child solely on the grounds that appropriate accommodation is not available.