§ 34. Mr. LANGasked the Home Secretary whether prisoners on remand are now allowed to receive visits from unofficial prison visitors; if not, at what date and for what reasons was this privilege withdrawn; and whether he will consider a revision of the rules relating to the treatment of remand prisoners, whereby they may be permitted privileges at least equal to those enjoyed by convicted prisoners?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe system of unofficial visitors was designed to secure that convicted persons should not be entirely shut off from touch with the outside world, should be visited in prison and should come under influences that might be reformatory. The general question of revising Prison Rules, and especially those relating to remand prisoners, is already under consideration, but, as at present advised, I do not think there is any case for extending the unofficial visitor system to remand prisoners.
§ Mr. LANGWill my right hon. Friend earnestly reconsider that decision in view of the fact that the anxiety and uncertainty of prisoners on remand is much worse even than that of those who have been sentenced to the severest punishment?
§ Mr. CLYNESMy hon. Friend put his question in relative terms, and it is on that basis that I am considering it. I will separately take into account the point raised in the supplementary question.
§ 35. Mr. LANGasked the Home Secretary how many persons were imprisoned on remand during the year 1929, and how many of these were subsequently acquitted of the charge on which they were awaiting trial?
§ Mr. CLYNESI regret that the information asked for is not available.