§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current prison population of Great Britain; if he will break down this number into men and women; what percentage of each is in prison on remand; and what percentages for failure to pay maintenance.
§ Mr. JohnOn 31st October 1977 there were 41,936 persons in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales, consisting of 40,504 males and 1,432 females of whom some 13 per cent. and 21 per cent. respectively were in custody on remand. About 0.75 per cent. of the males were committals for non-payment of maintenance.
Responsibility for offenders in Scotland rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.