HC Deb 05 February 1987 vol 109 c787W
Mr. Dubs

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the Metropolitan police receives towards the cost of each remand prisoner detained in a police station; and what was the total sum received by the Metropolitan police in 1986.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

The Metropolitan Police recover from the Home Office Prison Department the full costs of holding prisoners in police stations. The costs between 1 January and 30 November 1985 (the latest period for which the information is available) are estimated to be about £4 million. These will have been paid by the end of the 1986–87 financial year.

Mr. Dubs

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many remand prisoners have been detained in police stations in each Metropolitan police division in each month of 1986; and what were the minimum, average and maximum lengths of such detentions.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that for operational reasons he would not wish the police stations in which remand prisoners are held to be identified. The other information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. I understand, however, that during 1986 the average daily total of remand and convicted prisoners detained in police establishments in the Metropolitan police district was 101, with the highest number being 235. I also understand that the longest period for which a male prisoner has been detained in police cells is 31 nights and that the corresponding period for a woman prisoner is 44 nights.