§ MR. E. H. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the promise made by the Prison Commissioners in July 1895, that, if he should concur, they would take steps to bring about, if possible, a revival of the old annual conferences of the Visiting Committees of Prisons and of Discharged Prisoners' Aid Societies; whether he has discouraged this project; and what steps, if any, have been taken in the matter; and whether there is a prospect of such a conference being held?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, BlackpoolThe suggestion of the Commissioners to which the hon. Member refers has certainly not been discouraged by me; on the contrary, it is one which I heartily approve. But, as the printed observations of the Commissioners and the recent report of Mr. Merrick, both of which have been laid on the Table of the House, have no doubt made the hon. Member aware, certain important questions have been and are under discussion with regard to the duties of Visiting Committees and the organisation of Prisoners' Aid Societies. When these are settled, the contemplated conferences will, I hope, be held again.