§ Lord Harris of Greenwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the cost of holding a remand prisoner in a police cell in the Metropolitan Police District; and when this charge to the Home Office was last reviewed.
The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers)Payments since 1st April to the Metropolitan Police for the costs associated with the holding of prisoners in police cells so far indicate an average cost of £144 per inmate night. It is not yet possible to give a reliable estimate of the final outturn because not all costs associated with the Metropolitan police operations have yet been the subject of invoices. The figure may therefore increase to a level more in line with last year's average of £318. Charges made to the Home Office reflect the actual cost of the operation to the police and are not based on an agreed unit cost.