MR. PRESTON BRUCEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether it is the intention of the Government to close the prison at Dunfermline; if so, whether any provision will be made for the accommodation there of untried prisoners and prisoners undergoing short sentences, seeing that Dunfermline is the centre of a populous district and the seat of a sheriff court?
THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR)Sir, on behalf of my right hon. Friend I beg to say that it is the intention of the Government to close the prison at Dunfermline. I quite agree with my hon. Friend that it is very desirable that accommodation should be provided there for untried prisoners and those undergoing short sentences, and if application is made by the local authorities, the old prison will be conveyed to them, and it will be legalized for that purpose.