§ Lord Henderson of Bromptonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What proportion of sentenced prisoners entering prison in 1996, and what proportion of those given sentences of six months or less, were imprisoned for fine default; and
What proportion of the average daily population of sentenced prisoners in 1996, and what proportion of those serving sentences of six months or less, were serving sentences for fine default.
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe available information is published inPrison Statistics, England and Wales (table 7.1 of the 1996 edition, Cm 3732), a copy of which is in the Library. For ease of reference, the information requested is given below:
Population and receptions under sentence into prisons in England and Wales in 1996 Population on 30 June 1996 Receptions in 1996 Total sentenced prisoners 43,055 82,861 Fine defaulters as a percentage of total sentenced prisoners 0.3 10.3 Prisoners serving sentences of imprisonment of six months or less 4,723 47,507 Fine defaulters as a percentage of prisoners serving sentences of imprisonment of six months or less 3.0 18.0