§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prisoners there are in Scottish prisons; and what is the average number for each of the last 10 years.
§ Mr. RifkindThe number of persons held in Scottish penal establishments at lock-up on Friday 20 January 1989 was 4,997. The average daily penal population in 1987 and 1988 is provisionally estimated as 5,446 and 5,229 respectively. For earlier years, corresponding figures are given in appendix 2 of the annual report "Prisons in Scotland Report for 1986" (Cm. 223) copies of which are available in the Library.
§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prisoners in Scotland are on remand; and what this is as a proportion of the total number of prisoners at the latest date for which figures are available.
§ Mr. RifkindThe number of persons held on remand in penal establishments at lock-up on Friday 20 January 1989 was 782–16 per cent. of the penal population at that time.
§ Mr. DewarTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of Scotland's prisoners have been imprisoned for non-payment of fines; and what is the average amount of fine involved at the latest date for which figures are available.
§ Mr. RifkindDuring December 1988 a total of 4 per cent. of the average daily prison population in Scotland had been imprisoned for non-payment of fines. Information is not available on the average amount of fine involved.