§ Lord Harris of Greenwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the cost to the Home Office for every prisoner detained in a police cell rather than in prison department accommodation.
The Minister of State, Home Office (The Earl of Caithness)The average cost per prisoner per night of prisoners held in Metropolitan Police cells during the financial year ended 31st March 1986 was approximately £170. The cost represents actual expenditure by the police in staff, accommodation and services, and is determined by various factors—in particular, the number of prisoners and the number of locations at which they are held.
The cost of prisoners held by other police forces varies considerably according to the circumstances. Comprehensive figures could only be produced at disproportionate cost.