§ 90. Mr. WHITEHOUSEasked the Home Secretary whether he has recently received proposals for a Commission of Inquiry into the prison system and its reform; and, if so, whether he is prepared to make any statement on the subject?
§ Mr. BRACEThe Home Secretary promised some time ago to receive a deputation on the subject of prison administration, and would have done so before now but for the pressure of other and more urgent matters. I hope that arrangements for a deputation will shortly be made.
§ 91. Mr. WHITEHOUSEasked the Home Secretary if he will say for how long prisoners serving terms up to two years' imprisonment are kept under the silence rule?
§ Mr. BRACEI presume the hon. Member refers to prisoners who are allowed the privilege of conversation during exercise under Rule 243A. This privilege is given after they have served one year.
§ Mr. WHITEHOUSEWill the right hon. Gentleman reply to the question on the Paper, which refers to prisoners generally, and state how long they are kept in silence?
§ 94. Mr. WHITEHOUSEasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will say what was the date when any change was introduced into the prison system as regards the silence rule imposed upon prisoners?
§ Mr. BRACEI presume the hon. Member refers to Rule 243A, which enables certain mitigations of the conditions of imprisonment to be given to certain classes of prisoners. This rule was made in 1911.