§ Mr. Tom Coxasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of inmates at present serving life sentences in prisons in the United Kingdom; and what numbers are classed in the following categories A, B and C.
§ Mr. MellorAccording to the records held centrally, which are approximate, on 31 March 1985 about 2,040 persons in prison department establishments in England and Wales were serving life sentences, including custody for life and detention during Her Majesty's pleasure or for86W life under section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. About 195 of these prisoners were in category A. Only adult males are allocated to other security categories; those adult males held in local prisons or closed category B training establishments numbered about 1,400 on 31 March; and those held in closed category C training establishments numbered about 200.