HC Deb 18 July 1929 vol 230 cc607-8
27. Mr. LANG

asked the Home Secretary if any statistics are available as to the number of male and female prisoners certified as insane after their reception into prison as convicted persons during the last three years?

Mr. CLYNES

Yes, Sir; and the statistics available for the three years 1926 to 1928 inclusive, which include persons received after conviction, or as debtor prisoners or surety prisoners, and extend to local, convict and preventive detention prisons and to Borstal institutions, are:

Men … … … 295
Women … … … 43

Mr. LANG

In view of the size of the figures, will my right hon. Friend cause inquiries to be made as to whether these prisoners may not be medically examined before their conviction?

Mr. CLYNES

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put down a further question on this matter.