HC Deb 21 February 1917 vol 90 cc1333-4
79. Mr. GEORGE LAMBERT

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Depart- ment if he can give information as to the future use of Dartmoor prison?

Sir G. CAVE

It has been arranged that Dartmoor Prison shall cease to be used as a prison, and shall be handed over for the duration of the War to the Home Office Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors. The men who will be sent there by the Committee will be employed on the large farm attached to the prison, and on the reclamation for agricultural purposes of neighbouring portions of Dartmoor. The men will live and work under conditions similar to those in force at the Committee's establishments at Wakefield and Warwick. It is hoped that the buildings may be ready for the reception of conscientious objectors in about a fortnight's time.

Mr. LAMBERT

Is it intended that the building should revert to the purposes of a prison after the war?

Sir G. CAVE

Certainly.