Written question asked by Jeremy Corbyn (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 March 1997. It was answered by Ann Widdecombe (Conservative) on Thursday, 20 March 1997 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office;Prison Service

Question: How many Irish nationals are currently held in prisons in Great Britain. - Text of letter from Richard Tilt of Prison Service.

Answer: Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Irish nationals are currently held in prisons in Great Britain. [21253] Miss Widdecombe: Responsibility 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 Richard Tilt to Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, dated 20 March 1997: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking how many Irish nationals are currently in prisons in Great Britain. Provisional figures for 28 February 1997 (the latest date for which figures are available) indicate that there were 673 persons in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales claiming to be of Irish nationality. Figures for prisoners in Great Britain (ie: England, Wales and Scotland) are not held centrally. Information for Scotland is a matter for the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Secondary information