§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide the figures of remand and convicted prisoners still held in police cells in 77W Greater Manchester, and for surrounding areas, and the number expected to be held in such accommodation on 3 July, 3 August and 3 September.
§ Mrs. RumboldOn Thursday 30 May there were 464 prisoners in police cells as a result of accommodation lost at Manchester prison. Of these, 134 were sentenced and 330 unsentenced. These figures reflect a recent increase in the number of persons remanded in custody by the courts. Efforts are continuing to overcome the difficulties caused by action on the part of the Prison Officers Association in certain prisons. While these difficulties persist and having regard to the fluctuations in demand from the courts it is not possible to predict accurately the level of usage of police cells on particular future dates, but the expected availability of further refurbished accommodation at Manchester and of new accommodation in Yorkshire should enable substantial inroads to be made into the task of clearing police cells from July onwards.