§ 4. Viscount SANDONasked the Home Secretary whether he will consider arrangements whereby prisoners whose crime involved pecuniary loss to anyone can be made to do work of a marketable character, from which the financial proceeds can go to the parties who have previously suffered such losses until the whole of them are worked off?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSSuggestions of this kind have been frequently considered, but there are many difficulties, including the consideration that when from the value of a prisoner's labour is deducted the cost of his maintenance and supervision, there is no margin for compensation to injured parties.
§ Viscount SANDONIs it not a fact that it would be easier for the State to bear these losses than many poor people who are robbed and get no return?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have told my Noble Friend of the initial difficulty. If he likes to come to see me I can explain a good many other difficulties in the matter.