§ Lord Graham of Edmontonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will state the current charge made by the Metropolitan Police to the prison service for the use of a prison cell overnight; how this compares with the previous three years; and if the current charge can be broken down in terms of costs.
§ Lord GlenarthurThe average cost per prisoner/night of prisoners held in Metropolitan Police cells is estimated at £100 in 1982–83, about £150 in 1983–84 and £200 in 1984–85. No figures have been calculated for 1981–82, during much of which police cells were rarely used.
Approximately two-thirds of the cost is accounted for by staffing costs, the remainder by accommodation and ancillary services. The cost is not assessed on a per capita basis but represents actual expenditure by the police on staff, accommodation and services determined by various factors, including the number of prisoners held.