§ MR. WARDLE (Stockport)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that on the visit of His Majesty's Inspector of Prisons to Pentonville on the 7th and 8th of February last an entry was made in the inspector's minute book that no
†See (4) Debates, clii., 771.554 officers fell out of the ranks to make complaints, and that such entry was endorsed by the governor of the prison; and whether, seeing that some twelve or thirteen officers so fell out and preferred complaints, he will say what he proposes to do in the matter.
§ * THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (MR. GLADSTONE,) Leeds, W.The facts are as stated in the hon. Member's Question, except that as I understand only six officers fell out, and that the governor of a prison does not endorse entries in the inspector's book, but merely notes any instructions it may contain. The explanation is that the inspector was specially engaged during the afternoon of this day on a Committee which was sitting at Pentonville to inquire into certain matters relating to the prisoners' clothing and property. The chief warder accordingly was not able to communicate to the inspector that certain officers desired to see him, until 5.30 p.m. In the meantime the inspector, not being aware that any officer desired to see him, had made the entry in the book referred to. He saw the officers immediately, but by inadvertence omitted to delete the original entry in the book. The inspector acquainted the Commissioners on the following day that certain officers had made representations to him on the subject of their hours of duty, etc.