36. Mr. Cooperasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in England are now in prison sine die for contempt of court; what is the average time they have been detained; and what is the longest period that an individual prisoner has been in prison for this offence during the last five years.
§ Mr. EdeOn 30th April last, there were seven persons heldsine die in 137W prisons in England and Wales for contempt of court. They had been held for 450, 99, 60, 11, eight, four and three days, respectively, which gives an average of 92 days. The longest period for which a prisoner has been held for contempt of court during the last five years is 652 days.