§ 28. Captain CAZALETasked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the advisability of setting up a committee of inquiry to ascertain in what way employers might be encouraged to give a fresh chance to those who have been imprisoned and are desirous of making a new start in life?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIt is certainly desirable to do everything possible to encourage employers to give a fresh start in life to deserving ex-prisoners, and I am glad to say that many employers help in this way. The problem of securing employment for ex-prisoners in these difficult times is under the constant consideration of Discharged Prisoners' Aid Societies attached to local prisons and in touch with local employers and others, and of the central bodies which organise the after-care of discharged prisoners and convicts, and I do not think that the setting up of a committee of inquiry would materially assist at this moment.
§ Captain CAZALETIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the present arrangements for dealing with these unfortunate men?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am in close touch with many of these societies and take a great personal interest in them, and I am satisfied that they are doing their work exceedingly well.
§ Mr. OLIVERWill the right hon. Gentleman make representations to the Ministry of Health on behalf of this class of prisoner, because when they go out of prison they are forbidden to receive any form of Poor Law relief, and the only means they have——
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is not relevant to the question on the Paper.