HC Deb 16 February 1993 vol 219 cc138-9W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inmates in prisons in(a) England and Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) Northern Ireland who were held as category A prisoners on 1 January 1992 were removed from this category during 1992.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

During 1992, 56 category A inmates in England and Wales were downgraded to category B following review by the category A committee.

The position in Scotland and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Northern Ireland respectively.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women who were held in prisons in (i) England and Wales, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Northern Ireland were category A prisoners during 1992.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

On 31 December 1992, there were 554 male and four female category A prisoners in prison custody in England and Wales.

The position in Scotland and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Northern Ireland respectively.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how often the status of an inmate being held as a category A prisoner in(a) England and Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) Northern Ireland is reviewed.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

In England and Wales the security category of category A prisoners is liable to review at any time in the light of security or other information. Usually a category A prisoner is held in the category on a provisional basis until conviction and sentence, when the case is put to the category A committee for formal review. Cases are reviewed at least annually thereafter.

The position in Scotland and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Northern Ireland respectively.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the longest period of time an inmate at present being held in prison in(a) England and Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) Northern Ireland has been in category A status as at 1 February.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Twenty-six years in England and Wales. The position in Scotland and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Northern Ireland respectively.