§ 21. Major OWENasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that, in the case of prisoners sent from North Wales to Walton Gaol, no official provision is made by which prisoners can be administered to by Welsh chaplains or seen by Welsh visitors; and whether he will take immediate steps to remedy this state of affairs?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe hon. Member has, I am afraid, been misinformed. Very complete arrangements exist for regular ministration to Welsh prisoners in Liverpool Prison by Welsh ministers, including weekly services on Sundays and meetings on Fridays. There are also two specially appointed Welsh visitors, while several officers of the prison speak Welsh.
§ Major OWENIs it not a fact that all these arrangements are purely voluntary and that no provision at all is made by the State for those prisoners who are compelled to be sent to Walton Gaol in Liverpool on account of the closing of the gaols in North Wales; and is it not part and parcel of the duty of the Home Office to provide for such men, 1208 and to provide for them in their own language?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have told the hon. and gallant Member that we do provide for them. I have bad a very long report indeed from the Governor of Walton Prison. There is most ample provision made for the religious needs of all Welsh prisoners who go to that gaol, and a meeting of Welsh ministers in Liverpool arrange details.
§ Sir R. THOMASIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there are very few Welshmen in any prison?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThat is a matter for the hon. Gentleman to settle with his hon. and gallant Friend.
§ Major OWENIs it not a fact that no official provision is made for these prisoners, and that the provision to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred is entirely voluntary and depends entirely upon individuals in Liverpool itself?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Gentleman is asking the same question a second time.