§ MR. AKERS-DOUGLASasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether a letter addressed to the clerk of the peace for the county of Kent on March 22nd, and signed "A. F. O. Liddell," in the following terms:
The Prison Commissioners having, reported that it is desirable, with a view to the discontinuance of Maidstone Prison, that prisoners from Tunbridge Wells should be sent to Lewes Prison, I am directed by the Secretary of State to request you to move the Tunbridge Wells magistrates to commit prisoners in future to Lewes Prison,was authorised by him; and, if so, whether he still adheres to the statement made by him on this subject?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT,in reply, said, it was not intended to close Maidstone Prison permanently; but it would be closed while alterations were being made in it.