HC Deb 13 November 1992 vol 213 c977W
Mr. Bermingham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests for places in mother and baby units in prisons in England and Wales are currently outstanding; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Applications for a place on a mother and baby unit are considered by a multi-disciplinary team at a case conference. At present the units have no outstanding applications awaiting consideration.

Mr. Bermingham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many mother and baby unit places were available(a) at 1 January and (b) at 1 November; how many further places are planned for, in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

On both 1 January and 1 November there were 38 places available in prison mother and baby units.

At Styal, a further house is being converted to create 10 additional places and will be available before the end of the year. Work will commence over the winter months on a new unit at New Hall, which will provide a further nine places.

Mr. Bermingham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many pregnant female prisoners are currently on remand or sentenced in England and Wales.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

On 11 November there were 38 pregnant women currently on remand or sentenced in England and Wales.