§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the changes in the number of people in police cells on remand in Greater Manchester over the last four weeks.
§ Mr. MellorOver the past four weeks the numbers of people in police cells, on remand in the Greater Manchester area, have been as follows:
Number 1 June 1990 505 8 June 1990 551 15 June 1990 574 22 June 1990 569 29 June 1990 581 64W
Constable Sergeant Inspector Chief inspector Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum 1974 Salaries 1,497 2,349 2,388 2,745 2,808 3,162 3,689 4,097 1975 Salaries 2,202 3,120 3,138 3,651 3,678 4,287 4,341 4,974 Percentage change (18.4) (6.9) (5.8) (7.05) (5.4) (9.1) (-5.3) (-2.3) 1976 Salaries 2,332 3,276 3,295 3,834 3,862 4,495 4,549 5,182 Percentage change (-9.1) (-9.9) (-9.9) (-9.9) (-14.1) (-10) (-10) (-10.6) 1977 Salaries 2,553 3,603 3,624 4,218 4,248 4,929 4,989 5,688 Percentage change (-5.5) (-5.1) (-5.1) (-5) (-5) (-5.3) (-5.3) (-5.2) 1978 Salaries 3,189 4,809 4,683 5,406 5,406 6,198 6,198 6,966 Percentage change (15.3) (23.2) (19.3) (18.3) (17.5) (16.1) (14.7) (13) 1979 Salaries 4,086 6,471 6,186 7,095 7,095 8,058 8,058 8,967 Percentage change (13) (18.6) (16.5) (15.7) (15.7) (14.7) (14.7) (13.5) 1980 Salaries 4,956 7,848 7,503 8,607 8,607 9,774 9,774 10,875 Percentage change (2.8) (2.8) (2.8) (2.8) (2.8) (2.8) (2.8) (2.8) 1981 Salaries 5,610 8,883 8,493 9,744 9,744 11,064 11,064 12,309 Percentage change (1.2) (1.2) (1) (1.2) (1.2) (1.2) (1.2) (1.2) The number of prisoners held in police cells was initially a result of the recent prison disturbances but is now largely due to industrial action or lack of good will on the part of prison officers in some establishments.
There is room to accommodate the majority of these prisoners in prison accommodation. Holding prisoners in police cells is bad for everyone concerned. It draws scarce police resources off the streets and means prisoners are held in unsuitable conditions. I hope prison officers in the establishments concerned will cease this unwarranted action at the earliest opportunity. We are pursuing discussions to bring this about.