HC Deb 08 May 1975 vol 891 cc492-3W
20. Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average number of adults held in prison in 1974 in England and Wales: how many persons per 100,000 of the total population this represents, and how the figure compares with neighbouring European countries in the most recent year for which statistics are available.

Dr. Summerskill

The daily average number of adults in prison custody in England and Wales in 1974 was 26,234. This figure represents 78 adults per 100,000 in the population. Owing to differences in the definition of the terms "prison" and "adult" adequately comparable figures for other European countries are not available.