HC Deb 18 July 1878 vol 241 cc1846-7
MR. MITCHELL HENRY

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Depart- ment, Whether the statement made by the Solicitor General on behalf of the Government in the debate respecting convict prison discipline on Friday night last, to the effect that the "indignities complained of were certainly not inflicted on anyone at present," was rightly understood by the House of Commons as an assurance that the unmentionable searching of the persons of prisoners, hitherto periodically practised in the male and female convict prisons, have ceased; whether this change has resulted from any orders given by the Secretary of State; and, if so, at what date those orders were given; and, if he can assure the House that such practices shall never be introduced into the county prisons, the control of which has now been assumed by the Government?

MR. ASSHETON CROSS

, in reply, said, he was sorry to have to state that experience had shown that it was sometimes necessary to carry out a strict search in order to defeat the ingenuity of unscrupulous prisoners. It was left to the Governors to see that in every possible way the proper rules as to decency were observed. He should like to mention that this was a question with regard to which evidence was being taken by the Commission now sitting. If the practice were open to objection he should be the first to step in and interfere with it.

MR. MITCHELL HENRY

said, he should make some inquiry on the subject next Session.

MR. MITCHELL HENRY

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he will lay upon the Table of the House any Correspondence that has passed between the county magistrates and himself in reference to their application for assistance in the discharge of their duties as visitors to the prisons, distinguishing cases in which an application has been made for clerical assistance from those in which the assistance of a lawyer or a medical man has been asked for?

MR. ASSHETON CROSS

, in reply, said, that he thought no good end would be gained by laying the Correspondence on the Table at present. He hoped that with a little experience the Justices would see more clearly what was the nature of their duties.