§ MR. CHANNING (Northampton, E.)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he can inform the House when he expects to lay upon the Table the Memorandum as to the steps taken, or to be taken, by Local Authorities to remedy the existing defects in the accommodation of prisoners awaiting trial?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)Active correspondence is still proceeding between the Home Office, the Prison Commissioners, and about 150 Local Authorities, some of whom only assemble quarterly. I am afraid it will not be sufficiently advanced to enable me to lay a Memorandum on the Table of the House this Session; but the hon. Member may rest assured that there will be no unnecessary delay in proceeding with this matter, and I am able to state that in most cases the Local Authorities are prepared to comply with the wishes of the Home Office.