SIR C. CAMERON (Glasgow, College)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the existence in the buildings of the old Bridewell Prison, London, of a lock-up to which refractory apprentices are committed by the City Chamberlain for breaches of their indentures; whether this lock-up is under the inspection and control of the Home Office; and whether he can state the number of persons imprisoned there during the past three years, and the average period of their detention?
MR. ASQUITHThis lock-up is not a prison coming within the provisions of the Prison Act, but is a portion of the buildings of Bridewell Hospital set apart, under a scheme approved by the Master of the Rolls (under 52 Geo. III., c. 101, and the Charitable Trusts Acts), for the reception of apprentices committed thereto by the Chamberlain of London in pursuance of jurisdiction vested in him in that behalf. The lock-up is not in any way under the inspection and control of the Home Office. The Chamberlain of London informs me that two apprentices were detained in 1891, two in 1892, and one in 1893, the average period of their detention being 10 days. In answer to a question on this subject in March, 1889, my predecessor expressed the opinion that "the Chamberlain's Court is distinguished for its impartial administration and care of the rights of apprentices," and I am not aware of any reason for dissenting from that view.