asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost of repairs to (a) prison roofs, and (b) prison property in general caused by prisoners during the year ended 31st December 1974 and for the latest convenient date in 1975.

The cost of repairing damage caused by prisoners to prison roofs in England and Wales in the years 1974 and 1975 was £13,000 and £25,000 respectively. The cost of repairing other damage to prison buildings caused by prisoners during these years was £103,000 and £114,000 respectively.