§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are currently held in police cells in the Northumbrian police force area; and why they are not held in prisons.
§ Mr. Peter LloydResponsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Mr. D. Lewis to Mr. A. J. Beith, dated 15 April 1994:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of prisoners currently held in police cells in the Northumbria police area and why they are not held in prisons.On 12 April 1994, the latest date for which complete information is available, 23 prisoners were held in police cells in the Northumbria police area.Since 1 January 1994, the prison population in England and Wales has risen by over 3,000. This has caused considerable pressure on local prison accommodation, particularly in the North of England.Since 14 February 1994, there have been insufficient places available at Durham prison for all those committed to prison custody from courts in its catchment area.