MR. LLOYD MORGAN (Carmarthenshire, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received any communications from justices at quarter sessions with regard to a proposed order to dispense with female quarters at His Majesty's prison, Carmarthen; whether it is proposed to send in future all female prisoners from the three western counties of South Wales to Swansea instead of keeping them at Carmarthen prison; and whether, before making the order, he will consider the hardship which the proposed change would entail of sending 1654 prisoners to Swansea who are committed for trial from parts of Cardiganshire and Carmarthenshire, and also the additional cost to the ratepayers.
§ MR. GLADSTONEI have received two communications to the effect indicated. The use of Carmarthen prison for the detention of female prisoners is found to be inconvenient and costly, and these objections will be obviated by the new arrangement which will save money to the taxpayers and throw no burden upon local rates, all expenses of the conveyance of prisoners being charged to Imperial funds. If the new arrangement is found to cause any substantial hardship to prisoners it can be reconsidered, but in view of the very small number of female prisoners received at Carmarthen from Cardiganshire and Carmarthen, I do not think this will be the case.