MR. T. F. RICHARDSI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that two of the warders employed at His Majesty's prison at Pentonville are about to be removed to Devizes and Liverpool; whether he is aware that these men and their co-workers believe the reason for such removal is because they took part in asking for a consideration of their terms of employment; and whether he can recommend to the proper authorities the retention of these men and thus remove the above impression.
§ MR. GLADSTONESuch transfers are usual in the prison service, and officers have often to submit to them in the public interest, even at some inconvenience to themselves and their families. Both these officers have appealed, however, to the Commissioners against such transfer on this ground, and the Commissioners on full consideration do not propose to insist upon the transfers. There is no ground whatever for the impression alleged to be entertained by these officers that their removal was ordered because they took part in asking for a consideration of their terms of 469 employment. Meetings for such a purpose are expressly allowed by Standing Order, subject to the authority of the Governor, and all officers in the prison service are aware that no obstacle is placed in the way of the legitimate expression of their wants in an orderly and approved manner.