HC Deb 03 November 1988 vol 139 c755W
30. Mr. Favell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the current situation relating to remand and trial prisoners in the Manchester catchment area.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

Industrial action at HMP Manchester has caused over 500 prisoners, who would otherwise have been held in the prison, to be held in police cells in the north. I am pleased to say that industrial action at Manchester, and also at HMP Liverpool, was suspended on 21 October and prisoners are being transferred from police cells to prison. It will take a little time until the situation in the Manchester area is restored to normal.