§ MR. CAUSTON (Southwark, W.)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether it is a fact that the Government are in the habit of receiving at Her Majesty's Prisons from mat manufacturers materials for making mats and matting; and, if so, what is the payment made by these manufacturers for prison labour in comparison with what they would have to pay in the open market?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I am informed by the Commissioners of Prisons that the practice is to invite open competition among dealers in mats, who 46 supply the materials, and those who will pay highest for the articles made up from their own materials are accepted as contractors. I have no means of making the comparison spoken of in the last paragraph with any accuracy; but I am informed that the price paid by the contractors may be said to be generally the same as that paid in the open market.
§ MR. CAUSTONgave Notice to ask for precise information as to the price paid for prison labour.