§ Mr. Berminghamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons he estimates will be detained in Her Majesty's prisons in England and Wales on (a) 31 July and (b) 31 August.
§ Mr. John PattenChanges in the prison population vary considerably from month to month and it is not our practice to publish short-term projections which may quickly become out of date. On 3 July the population in custody including those held in police cells was 50,969.
§ Mr. Berminghamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proposals he has to deal with overcrowding in the prison system in the immediate future;
(2) if he proposes to use his powers of executive release to reduce prison overcrowding; and if he will make a statement;
(3) if, as measures to reduce prison overcrowding, he has any proposals to use (a) disused army camps and (b) former police stations;
(4) if he has any proposals to recruit further prison offices on (a) a permanent and (b) a temporary basis to deal with overcrowding.
§ Mr. John PattenWe are keeping the position under close and continuous review.