HC Deb 29 October 1979 vol 972 c372W
Mr. Charles Irving

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence he has to suggest that the absence of adequate non-custodial resources and the consequent increase in the imposition by the courts of custodial sentences leads to an over-estimate of the demand for prison places and an under-estimate of the demand for non-custodial facilities.

Mr. Britton

Although there has recently been a small proportionate increase in custodial sentences, there is no evidence to suggest that this is due to an absence of adequate non-custodial resources. While we intend to make every effort to improve and develop the non-custodial alternatives available to the courts, it must be recognised that the demand for prison places is determined largely by the number of crimes which the courts consider merit a custodial sentence.