§ Lord Harris of Greenwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will indicate whether it is cheaper to keep prisoners in police cells rather than in prison.
§ Lord EltonThe cost of keeping a prisoner in police custody in the Metropolitan Police District is not assessed on aper capita basis, but in recent months has averaged about £100 a night. The average weekly cost of keeping a prisoner in a local prison or remand centre in 1981–82, the most recent period for which figures are available, was £181. I have placed in the Library a copy of a letter which I have sent to the noble Lord on 14th April explaining the position more fully and correcting an earlier statement I made on this matter which I accept was mistaken.