§ 26. Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were being held in police cells in England and Wales on 31 January; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggOn Tuesday 31 January, 349 prisoners were held in police cells in England and Wales.
378WEvery effort is being made to reduce that number as quickly as possible in the face of the renewed growth of the inmate population.
§ 72. Mr. CashTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the most recent figure for the number of prisoners housed in police cells.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggAt unlocking on Wednesday 1 February, 322 prisoners were held in police cells in England and Wales.
§ 73. Mr. DykesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has had recent discussions with the Metropolitan police concerning conditions for remand prisoners in custody in police station cells in the Greater London area.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggProblems arising from the accommodation of remand prisoners in police cells are often discussed at the meetings which my right hon. Friend holds regularly with the commissioner of the Metropolitan police. I am well aware that conditions for remand prisoners in police cells are often far from satisfactory although the police do all they can in difficult circumstances.