§ 15. Mr. WALTER BAKERasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Central Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society deals with many thousands of discharged prisoners each year; whether he is aware that the Home Office regards this work as essential to the work of reclamation; and whether he will recommend a grant towards the funds of this society?
§ Sir V. HENDERSONThe many thousands of discharged prisoners to whom the hon. Member refers are dealt with, not by the Central Aid Society, but by the local societies attached to each prison, and Government grants are made to these societies amounting to about £5,000 a year. The central society is a body representative of the local societies 1895 and does useful work by promoting cooperation amongst them and dealing with special cases submitted by the constituent societies. It does not itself share in the Government grant, but gives advice with regard to the distribution of a portion of that grant.
§ Mr. BAKERWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman explain why this responsibility, which is admitted by his chief to be a national responsibility, is to be placed upon the backs of the charitable, instead of upon national funds?
§ Sir V. HENDERSONI do not think that exactly follows. I have told the hon. Member that the Government do give grants to these local societies.