HC Deb 01 November 2001 vol 373 c854W
Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the present level of the prison population; and if it is his policy to increase this further. [11797]

Beverley Hughes

On 26 October 2001, there were 68,127 people in prisons in England and Wales. Within the sentencing framework set by Parliament, it is for the courts to determine who is sent to prison and for how long.