HC Deb 18 June 1980 vol 986 cc522-3W
Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the progressive effect on the prison population over the last five years if the courts had given half the sentences actually administered (a) on all offences and (b) on non-violent offences.

Mr. Brittan

Complex estimates of the kind requested, which require decisions to be made regarding a number of assumptions, can be provided only at disproportionate cost.