SIR UGHTRED KAY-SHUTTLE-WORTH (Lancashire, Clitheroe)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether any steps have been taken to give effect to the recommendations of the Committee, recently presided over by Mr. Justice Wills, on the subject of providing separate compartments and female officers for female prisoners in the Police Courts of London and in the Petty Sessional Courts of 1409 moat of the large towns and populous places in England and Wales?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)Yes, Sir; I have already effected arrangements whereby increased cell accommodation will be provided for prisoners at the Metropolitan Police Courts which have police-stations contiguous to them. In some cases structural alterations are required; but I have given directions for the work to be done with the least possible delay. Where new cells are necessary the plans will, I hope, be shortly settled and approved. With regard to female officers at the police courts, their employment and payment have been already sanctioned, and steps are now being taken to appoint competent attendants. In the case of the improvements reported by the Committee to be necessary in certain Petty Sessional Courts in England and Wales, I am able to state that the Local Authorities have responded in a very satisfactory way to the request addressed to them for improved accommodation; and in several cases the necessary works are now being carried out in accordance with plans approved by the Home Office.