HC Deb 24 January 1994 vol 236 cc57-8W
Mr. Robert Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what would be the annual saving arising from the closure of bail hostels in the west midlands area.

Mr. Maclean

We expect the savings to be in the order of £200,000 in 1994–95 and £400,000 for 1995–96.

Mr. Robert Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was(a) the average cost of a place in a bail hostel in the west midlands, (b) the average length of stay and (c) the average cost of a prison remand place in the west midlands; and if he will give weekly figures from the latest available information.

Mr. Maclean

(a) The average weekly cost in 1993–94 is £243; (b) this information is not readily available in the form requested; (c) costs for remand prisoners are not kept separately. For 1992–93, the average weekly net operating cost per prisoner at Birmingham prison—the only prison in the west midlands—was £383. Remand prisoners represent just over 40 per cent. of these prisoners.

Mr. Robert Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the number of persons who will be remanded into custody as a result of the closure of bail hostels in the west midlands.

Mr. Maclean

It is for the courts to decide who should be remanded in custody. There are approved hostel facilities available to them in the same or neighbouring probation areas.

Mr. Robert Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what alternative arrangements are planned following the proposed closure of bail hostels in the west midlands.

Mr. Maclean

There are alternative hostel facilities in the west midlands and in neighbouring probation areas and it will be for the probation service there to bring them to the attention of the courts.

Mr. Robert Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whom he plans to consult about the proposed closure of bail hostels in the west midlands.

Mr. Maclean

West midlands probation service was notified on 1 December of our closure proposals and given the opportunity to comment.