§ CAPTAIN BAGOT () Westmoreland, KendalTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can state in how many British prisons mats are made by the prisoners; whether such mats are sold in competition with privately-made British mats; if so, by whose authority; or, if not, what is done with them; whether he can state the approximate number of prisoners in Great Britain employed on making mats, brushes, or other articles which compete in the market with private enterprise; and whether he will consider the advisability of marking such goods with a broad arrow or other distinctive mark.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Akers-Douglas.) I can answer only for prisons in England and Wales. In twenty-two of these mats have been made in the current year. Government Departments take almost the whole output, the rest is sold to private firms. The quantities are so small that they cannot, I think, interfere with the general trade; and the Prison Commissioners take great care that there shall be no competition with free labour at "cutting prices." About 11,000 prisoners are engaged daily in productive industries, including those mentioned in the Question, and of these it is estimated that about 100 may be engaged on mats for private sale. Articles other than mats are very rarely sold to private firms, and only when exceptional necessity arises. I do not think that the suggested marking of the goods is desirable; it might have an effect precisely the opposite of that which my hon. and gallant friend probably desires.