§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women were in prison with their children at the latest convenient date; where they were held; how old were their children; how many other children each prisoner had and how they were being cared for; and for what offences the women had been convicted.
§ Dr. Summerskill:On 1st December 1978, 28 women were in custody with their children: 14 at Askham Grange, 6 at Holloway and 8 at Styal. Twelve of the children were under three months old; 8 were between three and six months; 3 between six and nine months; 1 between nine and 12 months; and 4 between 1 and 2 years. The principal offences for which the mothers had been convicted were theft–15, illegal importation of drugs–3, burglary—2, conspiracy to steal—2, affray–1, assault–1, criminal damage–1, criminal deception –1, robbery–1, and wounding–1. Information about the number of other children each of those women has and how they are being cared for is not readily available.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many women were in prison at the last convenient date for fine default; and on what fines they had defaulted.
§ Mr. Merlyn Rees:I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.