§ Mr. Douglas Hoggasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the total prison population now compares with the population on 16 July; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitelawThe total number of inmates of prison department establishments in England and Wales was 45,500 on 16 July and 43,900 on 6 November. Although the prison system remains overcrowded, the situation is not such as to justify the continued exceptional use of military camps to provide additional prison accommodation. I therefore intend to arrange for the closure of Rollestone and Beckingham camps at the end of November.