Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of offenders that had (a) zero, (b) between one and 4, (c) between five and nine, (d) between 10 and 15, (e) between 16 and 25, (f) between 26 and 50, (g) between 51 and 75, (h) between 76 and 100, (i) between 101 and 150, (j) between 151 and 200 and (k) 200 or more previous offences on their record at the time of sentencing were given an immediate custodial sentence for their latest offence.

Obtaining the necessary information to answer these questions involves accessing the secure Police National Computer (PNC) system, which my relevant officials are unable to do at this time in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. I will write to the Hon Member in due course with the information requested, once my officials are able to safely access the PNC system, and will place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.