§ 6. Sir WALTER de FRECEasked the Home Secretary whether any prisoners are allowed, if desirous, to indulge in any form of literary composition when in gaol and, if so, under what conditions; and whether there is any official supervision to utilise the value of this educational exercise?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSWell-behaved prisoners who have completed six months of their sentences, or less in suitable cases, are encouraged to make notes and write essays on subjects taught, or lectures given, in prisons under the adult education scheme in order that they may take full advantage of any approved course of study they may be following. Such literary composition is under the supervision of the teachers attached to the prisons, and is subject to the general control of the governor and chaplain.
§ Colonel APPLINIn the interest of the prisoners, as well as of the public, will the right hon. Gentleman remember the words of the Psalmist:
Of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
§ Mr. BATEYWould that apply to the Durham prison, where the commissioner preached a sermon against the general strike and against the miners?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThis question does not relate to sermons at all, but to compositions written by the prisoners themselves, in order, I presume, to express their own views.