HC Deb 08 February 1988 vol 127 cc36-7W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men (b) women were held on remand in magistrates' court cells in England and Wales on the 25 January 1988; and if he will list the magistrates' courts.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

I am informed by the Metropolitan police that the police cells at Highbury Corner, Camberwell Green and Marylebone magistrates' courts held 32, 29 and nine prisoners respectively on 25 January 1988. Records do not distinguish between numbers of men and women held.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the longest period of time a person had been held on remand in a magistrates' court cell as of 25 January.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

The information required is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who has the responsibility for visiting and checking the conditions in which people being held in magistrates' court cells are kept; and to whom are reports sent as to such conditions.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

It has been decided that lay visitor panels should have this responsibility. Arrangements for such visits in London will be introduced as soon as consultations with the Metropolitan police and the clerks to the courts concerned are satisfactorily completed. It is intended that reports on visits should go to a responsible senior police officer and to the Secretary of the Lay Visitors' Panel. It will be open to the latter to send a copy of a report also to my right hon. Friend as the police authority.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the weekly cost of keeping a person in a magistrates' court cell; and who pays this cost.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

The average weekly cost of keeping a prisoner in police or magistrates' court cells, based on the latest accounts submitted by police forces, is £1,008. The cost is borne on the prison department Vote.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with panels of lay visitors as to the position of people being held in remand in magistrates' court cells.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

The Department is discussing with the Metropolitan police guidelines for lay visitors who visit remand prisoners held in police cells and magistrates' courts cells. We have also approached the clerks of the five magistrates' courts in London in which remand prisoners are held about access by lay visitors. When consultations are complete, the guidelines will be circulated to lay visitor panels.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the conditions under which people being held in magistrates' court cells are allowed visits; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

There are no general rules applying to visitors to persons held in magistrates' courts cells. I understand from the commissioner that in the Metropolitan police district prisoners detained in cells at magistrates' courts are allowed to receive visits from their legal representatives, probation officers and social workers preparing social inquiry reports. Such visits would be refused only if there was good reason. The police also do what they can to facilitate visits by friends and relatives, but arrangements vary and depend on such factors as the facilities available and other calls on police resources.