§ 22. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the bad condition of the food frequently served to the prisoners in Holloway Prison and, in particular, the bad fish and sour milk offered to prisoners; that complaints have been made frequently to the governor, the doctor and the visiting committee of magistrates, but without apparent result; whether it is proposed to abolish the hospital at the prison, and to otherwise increase the severity of the regime; how many girls under 17 years of age have been imprisoned at Holloway during the last 12 months; and whether any girls under 17 are there now?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe allegations which the hon. and gallant Member repeats are without foundation; no complaints of the food have been made to the visiting committee. Members of the visiting committee constantly test the quality of the food, and are satisfied with it. Individual prisoners sometimes complain of the food, and on one occasion the fish supplied to a prisoner was found to be insufficiently cooked, and she was given something else, but otherwise the complaints have proved to be groundless. No complaints appear to have been made of the milk being sour.
§ The number of girls under 17 years of age are as follows:
| In custody during the past twelve months: | |
| Convicted | 6 |
| Remanded | 27 |
| In custody at present time: | |
| Convicted | 1 |
| Remanded | 3 |
§ It is not proposed to abolish the hospital, or to increase the severity of the régime.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHas the right hon. Gentleman consulted any prisoner with regard to the quality of the food? Is he aware that prisoners who have been there make these statements?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must put some specific question.
§ Mr. LUNNHave any of the visiting justices any personal pocket interest in the catering for this establishment?
§ Mr. LYLEIs it not true that the waiting is shockingly bad, and that the coffee and liqueurs are not of proper quality?