§ MR. SAMUEL SMITH (Flintshire)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate if effectual means have been adopted to carry out the two reforms in Scotch prison administration urged upon Lord Balfour of Burleigh by a deputation of chief officers of Scotch gaols more than a year ago, namely, firstly, the levelling-up of the salaries of the governors, medical officers, chaplains and others to the scale of remuneration paid to similar functionaries in English and Irish prisons; and secondly, an increase of the inadequate staff of warders, especially in view of the association in some prisons of weak-minded prisoners with other criminals and without due supervision?
§ * THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. GRAHAM MURRAY, Buteshire)In connection with the Prison Estimates for 1897–98, the Secretary for Scotland made certain proposals to the Treasury in regard to the medical officers, the chaplains, and the warders in Scottish prisons. The Treasury sanctioned his proposals as regards the appointment of two additional medical officers, but refused the increased pay to the chaplains on the grounds stated by the Secretary to the Treasury on the 25th instant, in reply to the hon. Member for the Ayr Burghs. The recommended increase of seven permanent male warders and four occasional female warders was sanctioned.