§ 23. Mr. CADOGANasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that a statement was made by the governor of the gaol, in the course of a recent trial at the Gloucestershire Assizes, to the effect that the Prison Commissioners did not wish boys to be sent to Borstal unless they had previously been sent to prison; and whether this statement represents accurately the views of the Prison Commissioners?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON - HICKSThe governor's brief remarks conveyed a wrong impression. He was alluding to the fact that it is unusual for first offenders to be sent to Borstal. It is not the case that the Prison Commissioners do not wish lads to be sent to Borstal unless they have previously been in prison. About half the lads now in Borstal institutions have not been in prison, but have either been fined or placed on probation for their previous offences.
§ Mr. CADOGANWould the right hon. Gentleman make it clear to the officials of his Department what are the principles upon which the Borstal system is founded?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI think the information is clearly in the minds of the officials of my Department, but sometimes is not so clearly in the minds of those who sentence boys.