§ MR. COLMAN (Norwich)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether the stone for the new prison about to be erected at Norwich is being worked at Portland with convict labour; and, if so, whether prison labour could be utilized in some other way than by putting it into competition with that of local stonemasons?
THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. CHILDERS) (Edinburgh, S.)I am informed by the Prison Commissioners that the stone for Government buildings is always worked, when possible, either at Portland or some other prison. I believe it to be generally admitted that convict labour is properly employed on Government works, and on none more properly than prison buildings.