HC Deb 30 November 1977 vol 940 cc229-30W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the average daily number of women prisoners who had their children with them in prison in 1976;

(2) how many women prisoners had their children with them at the most recent convenient date.

Mr. John

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, North-West (Mr. Thomas) on 24th November.—[Vol. 939, c.871–3.]

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what facilities there are in the various prisons for women prisoners to have children over the age of 4 years with them.

Mr. John

None. Facilities are at present available only for children up to the age of 3.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many babies were born to inmates of Holloway Prison in 1976; and how many inmates had spontaneous or induced abortions.

Mr. John

Fourteen. There were two spontaneous abortions, and eight termina- tions of pregnancies were carried out in National Health Service hospitals.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many babies were born to women serving prison sentences in England and Wales in 1976.

Mr. John

Twenty-eight. In addition, 29 babies were born to young women serving borstal sentences, and three to women in custody awaiting trial.