18. Mr. FOOTasked the Home Secretary whether the reception of women prisoners has been discontinued at the prison at Plymouth; what provision is to be made for women detained at Plymouth on remand; whether any burden will be imposed on the rates of Plymouth in respect of the conveyance of women prisoners from Plymouth to Exeter; and, if so, whether the Plymouth local authority has been consulted on the matter?
§ Mr. SHORTTYes, in the interests of economy it has been decided to discontinue the female wing of the prison at Plymouth, and the chief constable has been informed that the Justices have power to remand prisoners to the local police cells. Where remand to prison is necessary, the prisoners will be sent to Exeter prison, but it is anticipated that these cases will be few in number. Any increased cost of conveyance will be very small, and half of it will be chargeable to the Exchequer Grant-in-Aid of the police. The local authority were not consulted.
Mr. FOOTHas the right hon. Gentleman taken into consideration the fact that female prisoners conveyed from Plymouth to Exeter must have a women's escort?
§ Mr. SHORTTYes, Sir; all women are taken by women escorts.