§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were in police and court cells at the latest available date; what are their locations and the length of time so held; and if he is satisfied with the conditions.
§ Mr. Mayhew:On the morning of 25 October, 159 prisoners were held in police custody, 154 within the Metropolitan Police area, three within the area of the City of London police and two within the area of the Sussex police. Detailed information about the lengths of time such prisoners have remained in police custody could not be obtained without disproportionate cost, but the period is generally not more than a few days at a time. We cannot be satisfied with the conditions in which these prisoners are being held and I regret the circumstances that make it necessary for police and court cells to be used in this way. We are in no doubt however that the police do all they can to provide the prisoners in their custody with facilities comparable with those to which they would be entitled had they been in prison.