§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) male and (b) female foreign nationals were being held in prisons in England and Wales on 1 February. [150445]
§ Mr. BoatengProvisional information shows that on 31 January 2001 there were 6,298 male and 627 female foreign nationals in prisons in England and Wales. This information is also available in successive volumes in 'Prison Statistics England and Wales' (Table 6.2 in the 1999 edition, CM 4805), copies of which are available in the Library.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the age of the oldest(a) male and (b) female inmate being held in prison in England and Wales; for what offence they are being detained; and on what date and for how long they were sentenced. [150449]
§ Mr. BoatengProvisional information shows that on 31 January 2001 the oldest male prisoner was 89 years old, sentenced on 25 May 2000 to 730 days for committing a sexual offence. The oldest female was 74 years old, sentenced on 31 January 1984 to life for committing murder.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) male and (b) female prisoners 473W have died in prisons in England and Wales from the effects of taking illegal drugs while in prison during the last 12 months. [150444]
§ Mr. BoatengOne prisoner—an adult male—has died since 1 January 2000 following the apparent use of illegal drugs while in prison custody; the coroner's inquest is awaited.