HC Deb 01 March 1932 vol 262 cc929-30
12. Mr. BUCHANAN

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the weekly amount received from the persons who are responsible for the imprisonment of persons arising from failure to pay under hire-purchase agreements, and the total number of prisoners at present involved?

Sir A. SINCLAIR

The amount at present payable by an incarcerating creditor in respect of the aliment of a person imprisoned for failing to comply with a court decree for the delivery of an article which has been the subject of a hire purchase contract is 6d., 7d. or 9d. a day, according to the dietary rate to which the prisoner is entitled. There is only one such prisoner in a Scottish prison at present.

Mr. BUCHANAN

In view of the fact that this charge for maintenance is not likely to meet the cost, does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take any steps to see that the one balances the other?

Sir A. SINCLAIR

This figure represents the cost of the food. The scale was last fixed in 1923, and, as the price of food has gone down since then, any review of the amount would evidently have to be downwards and not upwards.

Mr. BUCHANAN

My point is with reference to the charge of 9d. a day for these prisoners. Is it not a fact that other questions have shown that 9d. a day does not keep an ordinary prisoner, and, if that is so, does it not indicate that in these cases we have to make up the difference?

Sir A. SINCLAIR

The aliment charge was fixed in 1923. What were the factors which were taken into consideration in fixing the charge I do not know, but it is clear that the price of food has gone down, and that if there were a revision of the charge it would be downwards.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that an allowance of 9d. a day for feeding an individual in this country is far too little, and, therefore, those who pay the 9d. a day are not bearing the cost of feeding, and the State has to step in, whereas the State ought not to be called upon to pay the difference?