§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give for the latest and most convenient stated date the number of convicted prisoners now serving their sentences in open prisons, the number of unconvicted prisoners on remand awaiting trial in such open prisons at the same time and the number of such persons in closed prisons; and whether he will arrange for all such unconvicted persons on remand to be given the chance of being held on remand in an open prison in preference to those who have convictions and serving prison sentences.
§ Mr. Patrick MayhewOn 30 November 1980, 3,220 persons were in open prisons serving sentences for criminal offences; 2,222 persons were in closed prisons on remand awaiting trial and none was in an open prison. Unconvicted persons on remand in custody must continue to be held in closed prisons to make sure that they appear in court for trial.