§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many Irish prisoners were being held(a) on remand and (b) after being sentenced in prisons in England and Wales for (i) the latest date available and (ii) for equivalent dates in (1) 1986 and (2) 1991; [32712]
(2) what is the total number of persons being held in prisons in England and Wales (a) of Irish descent and (b) designated as travellers, for the latest date available. [32716]
§ Miss Widdecombe[holding answer 13 June 1996]: Responsibility for these matters 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 A. J. Pearson to Mr. Gerald Bermingham, dated 17 June 1996:
ome Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Questions asking for information on the number of Irish nationals in prison and the number of persons designated as travellers in prison on the latest date available and for details on equivalent dates in 1991 and 1986.296Wrequested information is given in the attached table and is for 31 May 1996 and 30 June 1991, the closest available month. Information for 1986 is not available.Information on the number of persons designated as travellers is not collected.
Irish Nationals in Prison in England and Wales 30 June 1991 31 May 19961 Remand 149 163 Sentenced 425 465 Total2 587 629 1 Provisional. 2 Including fine defaulters and civil prisoners.