§ Captain P. MACDONALD(by Private Notice) asked the Home Secretary if it is a fact that an attempted outbreak was discovered at Parkhurst Prison over the weekend, and, if so, have the leaders of this alleged plot been identified, and what steps are being taken to see that a similar incident does not occur in future?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am glad to have this opportunity of contradicting a highly coloured and entirely misleading story which appeared in a. Sunday paper. There was no plot for a concerted outbreak at Parkhurst Prison during the week-end, and the newspaper account seems to be based on an incident which occurred 10 days ago, when the prison authorities discovered that five convicts had formed a plan to escape. Special watch was kept and the men were found to be in possession of certain illicit articles which were no doubt intended to be used for the purpose of escape. The plan was a crude one which never had any chance of success. The prison authorities aye incessantly on the watch for attempts at escape, and the recent incident does not create any ground for apprehension.
§ Captain MACDONALDWill my right hon. Friend give an assurance that a careful watch will be kept on all workshops to see that prisoners are not given an opportunity of making keys and smuggling them into their cells as has been done in this case?
§ Sir J. GILMOUROh, yes, Sir, every step is taken to see that precautions are taken in these matters.
§ Captain HAROLD BALFOURCannot the right hon. Gentleman take any action against the paper concerned which published this account?
§ Sir J. GILMOURIt is an unfortunate fact that there is an increasing tendency 25 on the part of a certain section of the Press in this country to abuse the privileges which they possess.
§ Mr. HAMMERSLEYWill my right hon. Friend say which paper it was that published this sensational account?
§ Sir J. GILMOURYes, Sir, the "News of the World."