§ 18. Mr. GOLDIEasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the inconvenience caused in the administration of justice in the counties of Cumberland and Westmorland, and the northern parts of the county palatine of Lancaster, by the closure of the gaols at Carlisle, Lancaster and Preston, and of the hardship inflicted, particularly on persons on remand who are compelled to travel long distances at further expense from the gaols at Durham, Liverpool and Manchester; and whether he will consider the reopening of the prison at Preston?
§ Sir J. GILMOURLancaster and Carlisle prisons were closed more than 10 years ago and Preston prison in April, 1931. I am not aware that any inconvenience or hardship has resulted which would justify the expense of reopening this prison in present circumstances.
§ Mr. GOLDIEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the same difficulty is being experienced in North Wales, and prisoners on remand have to travel to and from the gaol at Liverpool to attend police court proceedings
§ Sir J. GILMOURI think it would he quite impossible to have prisons in so many places as to prevent all possibility of inconvenience.