§ Mrs. PeacockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convicted murderers are at present in prison serving life sentences; and what is the cost of keeping one such prisoner in prison for(a) 15, (b) 20 or (c) 25 years.
§ Mrs. RumboldOn 31 December 1990, the latest date for which figures are readily available, it is estimated that 2,300 prisoners were serving life sentences for murder in prison establishments in England and Wales. Detainees during Her Majesty's pleasure and persons sentenced to custody for life are included. It is not possible to distinguish the costs of holding a particular class of prisoner; the average cost of holding a prisoner was £321 per week in the year ending 31 March 1990.