§ MR. FLOWERI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can state the number of cranks, tread wheels and other machines of unproductive labour now being used in His Majesty's prisons; and if this form of industry will be discontinued as far as possible.
§ * MR. RITCHIEThere are now only six tread wheels grinding corn, and it is proposed to discontinue the use of these, if possible on April 1st next. There are four wheels and five cranks pumping water, but this number will shortly be reduced. It is proposed that, in the future, labour on these instruments shall be limited to the requirements of the water supply for the day.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESDoes that mean, then, that when these wheels are abolished all labour in prisons will be unproductive?
§ * MR. RITCHIECertainly not; the idea is to get rid of the unproductive labour, which is usually associated with the crank.