§ 4 Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the Home Secretary whether His Majesty's Government will accede to the request of the Brixton prison warders to advance their wages by :10 per annum; and whether the Government will allow the warders the same facilities for organisation as are enjoyed by other Civil servants?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHMy right hon. Friend has been in communication with the Treasury on the subject of the pay of prison warders, and he hopes very soon to be in a position to promise them an improvement in their rates of pay. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 30th April of last year.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that Civil servants in other Departments are at liberty to become members of different organisations, and is there any reason why these prison officers should not be allowed the same privileges?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHLast year it was stated that prison officers may hold meetings in their own division to discuss the conditions of their service, and are free to make representations to the Prison Commissioners or Secretary of State.
§ Mr. W. THORNEWill they be allowed to join trade unions as are other Civil servants?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHI did not say so.
§ Sir JOHN SPEARWill the hon. Gentleman, when fulfilling his promised consideration of the application of the Brixton prison warders for an increase of wages, at the same time consider the case of the warders at His Majesty's prison at Prince-town, Devon?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHIf the hon. Member will put the case before us it will be considered.