HC Deb 05 November 1912 vol 43 cc1025-6
72. Mr. ROWNTREE

asked what was the aggregate amount of debt owed by the 16,030 debtors and civil process prisoners committed to prison last year; and what was the approximate cost to the State of their maintenance during imprisonment?

Mr. McKENNA

It would not be possible to give the information which my hon. Friend asks for. The amount of debt for which a prisoner is actually committed is often only a very small proportion of the debt owed by him. Nor could the cost of maintenance of debtor prisoners be calculated without minute and prolonged research. I have considered whether future Returns could be extended so as to give any part of the information which my hon. Friend desires; but the preparation of the prison Returns already involves a great deal of labour to the prison staff, and I cannot add to it without the strongest reasons. In this case I do not think any further information is required to show the need for amending the law as to imprisonment for debt at the earliest opportunity.

Sir W. BYLES

Is it a fact that of the total number of prisoners in English prisons one half are there for debt?

Mr. McKENNA

Oh, no.

Sir W. BYLES

Did not your predecessors tell us—

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Gentleman really must give notice.

73. Mr. ROWNTREE

asked in view of the statement in the Report of the Prison Commissioners that, of the total number of persons committed to prison in one year, over 50 per cent, were committed in default of paying a fine on the one hand, what was the aggregate amount of these fines; and, on the other hand, what was the approximate cost to the State of maintaining these persons during imprisonment?

Mr. McKENNA

The Prison Commissioners have not these figures, and it would be impossible to obtain them without an increase of the clerical staff of the prisons. I would add that rather less than 20 per cent, of the persons fined are sent to prison in default of payment. The imprisonment the latter undergo must be regarded not only as actual punishment for the offences they have committed, but also as the influence which enforces the penalties paid by the remaining 80 per cent.