§ 60. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Home Secretary how many female prisoners gave birth to children during their sentences last year; and what arrangements are made so that these children are not born within the prison precincts?
§ Mr. CLYNESIt will take some time to collect the information asked for in the first part of the question. When this has been done I will send it to my hon. and gallant Friend. As regards the second part of the question, such arrangements could not be made without legislation.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWill the Home Secretary consider legislation so that, if possible, these prisoners may be removed to hospital?
§ Mr. CLYNESI recognise that there is a much more enlightened outlook upon this matter than previously existed, but I cannot at the moment give any pledge as to early legislation.
§ Lieut. Commander KENWORTHYDoes not my right hon. Friend realise that this is a matter which affects the children concerned, who when they come out may have some stigma attaching to them?
§ Mr. CLYNESI can assure the House that no one is necessarily more interested in this matter than I am myself and that I should be glad of a future opportunity to deal further with it.