§ MR. C. DUNCAN (Barrow-in-Furness)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether an augmentation of the staffs in prisons is necessary to adequately cope with the work; whether he is aware that in some cases prisoners are detained in their cells for lack of officers to supervise them in their work outside; and whether he will take some action in the matter with a view to relieving to some extent the present acute state of unemployment.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) I have no reason to think that any general 1570 augmentation of the prison staff is necessary. If, from a temporary rise of population or other cause, the staff in any prison becomes insufficient temporary assistance is obtained. Except in such special circumstances the staff is sufficient to supervise prisoners eligible for employment outside their cells, and I should not be justified in adding to it.