HC Deb 05 November 1908 vol 195 cc1402-3
MR. WARDLE (Stockport)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can state what number of extra men would be required if the hours of warders in convict prisons were reduced to eight per day; and whether, in view of the amount of unemployment in the country, he can see his way to a revision to that number.

THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL,) Yorkshire, Cleveland

It is estimated that to work the convict system effectively with an eight - hour day for officers would require an addition of between 150 and 160 officers to the staff, at a cost of about £15,000 a year. My right hon. friend does not see his way to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.