§ 57. Mr. Charles Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will adopt measures designed to reduce the numbers of men and women being sent to prison.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonYes. The substantial increase in crime in 1974 and this year has led to a sharp and un-welcome rise in the prison population which on 15th June stood at 40,198. This emphasises the importance and urgency of the Government's policy of expanding as rapidly as our severely constrained resources permit the range and amount of non-custodial provision within the penal system, so that prison sentences can progressively be limited by the courts to offenders who cannot safely or acceptably be dealt with in the community. We keep under close and continuing review the scope for limiting the prison population by legislative and other means.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of persons held in prisons in England and Wales at the latest available date.
§ Dr. Summerskill40,198 persons were held in Prison Department establishments in England and Wales on 15th June.