§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish a table giving the occupational backgrounds, and the political allegiances of the magistrates of (a) the Oldham and (b) the Stockport Benches.
§ Mr. LeverThe information requested is set out in the following table. It is based upon information given by the magistrates at the time of their appointment.
women prisoners other than uniform clothing; how many prisoners were so provided; and how many of them were taken shopping.
§ Mr. JohnNo uniform clothing is provided for women prisoners; the sum spent 9W annually on women whose own clothing is inadequate or unsuitable for wear in prison varies according to the number of prisoners and their needs. In 1976 the women's prisons and remand centres spent some £28,000 on clothing for 1,362 inmates, about half of whom, mostly from the open prisons, were taken shopping.
§ Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to implement Resolution (76) 2 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, on the treatment of long-term prisoners, with special reference to sections (1), (6), (7), (8), (13), (14) and (15).
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesAs regards section I(1), maximum penalties are laid down by statute, but the courts have complete discretion to determine the length of individual sentences within the limits laid down. The Government support the view that long-term sentences of imprisonment should be imposed only if they are necessary for the protection of society. As regards the other sections quoted, the Government accept the principles for the treatment of long-term prisoners embodied in the Resolution, and our practice and objectives are in general accordance with the recommendations of the Committee of Ministers.