HC Deb 13 July 1987 vol 119 cc364-5W
Mr. Bermingham

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many male and female prisoners were being held in police cells in England and Wales on each of the following dates: (a) 29 June, (b) 30 June, (c) 1 July, (d) 2 July, (e) 3 July, (f) 4 July, (g) 5 July, (h) 6 July, (i) 7 July and (j) 8 July.

Mr. John Patten

The only reliable figures available are obtained from a weekly census on Fridays. On 26 June, the number of prisoners being held in police cells in England and Wales was 411 males and 95 females; on 3 July, 511 males and 109 females; and on 10 July, 553 males and 95 females.

Mr. Bermingham

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were held in police cells in areas outside the Metropolitan police district during the period 29 June to 8 July.

Mr. John Patten

The only reliable figures available are obtained from a weekly census on Fridays. The number of prisoners held in police cells in areas outside the Metropolitan police district on 26 June and 3 and 10 July were 185, 264 and 311 respectively.

Mr. Bermingham

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in which police districts prisoners were held in police cells during the period 29 June to 8 July.

Mr. John Patten

Prisoners were held in police cells by each of the following police forces at some time during the period 29 June to 8 July:

  • Avon and Somerset
  • Bedfordshire
  • Cambridgeshire
  • Cheshire
  • City of London
  • Derbyshire
  • Essex
  • Gloucestershire
  • Greater Manchester
  • Hampshire
  • Kent
  • Lancashire
  • Merseyside
  • Metropolitan
  • Northamptonshire
  • North Wales
  • Nottinghamshire
  • South Yorkshire
  • Staffordshire
  • Suffolk
  • Thames Valley
  • West Mercia
  • West Midlands
  • West Yorkshire
  • Wiltshire

Mr. Bermingham

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many remand prisoners are currently being held in police cells in England and Wales.

Mr. John Patten

On 10 July 1987, 648 prisoners, most of whom would have been untried, were held in police cells in England and Wales.