HC Deb 22 November 1984 vol 68 cc264-5W
Mr. Bermingham

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners of European nationality are currently detained in Her Majesty's prisons having been convicted of criminal offences; and if he will give a breakdown of the figures by individual countries of origin.

Mr. Mellor

The available information is given in the following table. Information is not recorded centrally on the nationality of persons held in prison department establishments in England and Wales. Information on their country of birth is recorded centrally but is reasonably complete only for sentenced prisoners; of the total of 32,700 sentenced prisoners on 30 September 1984, information on country of birth was not available for 1,500.

Sentenced prisoners recorded as born in Europe in prison department establishments in England and Wales on 30 September 1984: by country of birth.
* Estimated number
United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man 28,130
Irish Republic 620
Austria 5
Belgium/Luxembourg 5
Cyprus 80
Denmark 5
Federal Republic of Germany 120
France 15
Gibraltar 5
Greece 5
Holland 30
Hungary 15
Italy 45

* Estimated number
Malta 20
Poland 15
Spain 20
Other Europe (excluding USSR) 30
* Rounded figures. The figures are those recorded centrally and are approximate; detailed checking of individual cases would involve disproportionate cost.