§ SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the approximate cost of maintaining in His Majesty's prisons the 3,449 aliens who were sentenced to imprisonment for crimes committed in England and Wales in the twelve months ending 31st March, 1903, in addition to sixty-two sentences to penal 220 servitude; and what steps His Majesty's Government proposes to take in the matter.
§ *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. AKERS-DOUGLAS,) Kent, St. Augustine'sThe information desired by my hon. and gallant friend could not be obtained without calculations of an elaborate nature which, even if practicable, would not, in my opinion, serve any public purpose. All the salient facts on the subject have been carefully laid before the Royal Commission and will appear in the minutes of evidence.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTIs the sum spent in maintaining these prisoners upwards of £30,000 per annum?
§ *MR. AKERS DOUGLASI will make inquiries.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTCan the right hon. Gentleman give any hope of legislation on the subject this session?
§ *MR. AKERS DOUGLASNo, Sir.