62. Mr. CHANCELLORasked whether the release of prisoners under the Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for Ill-health) Act depends entirely on the doctors',report; whether the length of licences is determined wholly or in part by the doctors; or, if not, on whose authority do these decisions rest?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe decision whether the prisoner is to be released and for how long rests entirely with the Home Secretary. I receive reports from the medical officers of the prisons and give due weight to them, and in some cases I have given a limited discretion to the governor as to the time of discharge, but in all cases the decision rests with me.