§ Viscount CASTLEREAGHasked whether a reduction was contemplated in the number of convict prison officers; and whether the duties hitherto discharged by convict prison officers were to be discharged in future by local prison officers?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe number of convict prison officers varies from year to year with the number of convicts. Owing to the the fall in the number of convicts, it has become possible to close the convict wing of Wakefield Prison, and the convict prison officers employed there will be absorbed in other convict prisons. It has further been decided to staff the Maidstone Prison with local prison officers, the discipline and routine at that prison being substantially the same as in local prisons, and to staff the new prison at Camp Hill for persons under sentence of preventive detention with convict officers. This will absorb the Maidstone convict staff, and will also involve an addition of twelve new convict officers.
§ Viscount CASTLEREAGHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that certain heavy expenses have been incurred by convict prison officers being removed?
§ Mr. McKENNANo. I will look into that.