§ MR. FIELDEN (Lancashire, S.E., Middleton)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether, in view of the recommendations of the Committee appointed by him to inquire 1567 into the accommodation for prisoners awaiting trial at the Courts of Summary Jurisdiction, he proposes to take any, and, if so, what, action to remedy the present defective arrangements?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I am now in communication with the Office of Works and the other authorities in whom the control of the Police Courts of the Metropolis is vested, and have earnestly invited their co-operation in carrying out such alterations as will be necessary to secure an improved accommodation for prisoners awaiting trial. I have also communicated with the authorities responsible for the accommodation at all Stipendiary Courts; and I have, in several instances, received from them satisfactory assurances that substantial improvements will be effected. I have now under my consideration the best course to pursue with the view of securing satisfactory accommodation at the Petty Sessional Courts throughout the country. That is a much larger question, owing to the number of such Courts.