§ 61. Sir J. D. REESasked the Home Secretary whether the Government is prepared to recommend the grant of a pardon by the Crown to long-term prisoners of good character on the recommendation of governors of gaols on condition that such prisoners qualify as manufacturers of 1162 munitions of war under discipline for the period of the War?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Simon)In one or two cases short sentence prisoners who were skilled hands in munition works have been released, and I will consider whether there are any similar cases among the long-term sentences; but I believe that among the convicts under sentence of three years or upwards (whose number is now the un-precedentedly low figure of 2,240) skilled mechanics whom it would in any circumstances be possible to release are extremely few. The others are doing more and better work in the manufacture of war stores in the prisons than they would be likely to do if set at liberty.
§ Sir J. D. REESWill the right hon. Gentleman consider some wholesale method of employing prisoners in a time like this, if they can be beneficially used?
§ Sir J. SIMONI think they are very well occupied.