§ 15. Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Secretary of State for War to state what is the cost of the military prison at Woking; how many prisoners are detained there; and what is the cost to the State of each prisoner?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe cost of the military prison at Woking is estimated at £6,800 a year. The average number of prisoners detained there during 1926 was 16, the cost based on that number being 23s. 4d. a prisoner a day. The question whether other suitable and more economical arrangements for dealing with these prisoners could be made is under consideration.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it costs more to keep a prisoner there than to send a boy to Eton to-day?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe cases are not exactly parallel.
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe high cost is because, fortunately, we have only an average of 16. That is the fortunate fact.
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThat is precisely what is being Poked into at this moment.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWill the right hon. Gentleman consider amalgamating with the Admiralty for combined treatment of naval and military prisoners?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI will bear that in mind.