HC Deb 16 June 1936 vol 313 cc787-9
22. Mr. KIRKWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Scottish Office has made any progress regarding the proposal of the Glasgow Corporation for the removal of Duke Street prison and the conversion of the site into an open space for the recreation of adults and children; how many people are accommodated in Duke Street prison and what is the total accommodation

Sir G. COLLINS

Two suitable sites have now been provisionally selected and active negotiations are in progress with a view to acquiring one of them. The number of prisoners in custody at Duke Street prison on the 11th instant was 75 females and 17 males. The prison has accommodation for 404 females and 159 males.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

When is the demolition of the prison likely to take place, seeing that they have taken all these years to acquire the land on which to build further accommodation?

Sir G. COLLINS

It is true that a long time has been occupied in finding a site, but two suitable sites are now being considered, and when a decision has been taken as to one of them, I hope very shortly afterwards the new prison may be erected.

Mr. GALLACHER

Is the Minister aware that this building, situated as it is opposite the Cathedral, is a blot on the landscape and should be removed without further delay?

25. Mr. T. JOHNSTON

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state for each of the five rates of dietaries in use in Scottish prisons the approximate cost of the food supplied to the prisoners per day; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take to ensure that the law-abiding working classes shall be at least as well fed as the inmates of prisons, whose diet is prescribed by the regulations approved in June, 1931, and amended in August, 1932, and March, 1933?

Sir G. COLLINS

The approximate wholesale cost of the ingredients of the items in the dietary rates per person per day in 1935 is as follows:

d.
Rate I 4¾
Rate II 5
Rate III 5½
Rate IV 6¾
Rate V 8½
The cost would, of course, be higher if the ingredients had to be purchased at retail prices. In view of these figures, I am unable to accept the suggestion made in the last part of the question.

Mr. JOHNSTON

Has the right hon. Gentleman not been assured by his medical advisers in charge of these prisons that the prison population is better fed after a period in prison than it was before entering the prisons?

Sir G. COLLINS

Not only the diet in the prison, but the regular life they lead and the work they do have some bearing on their physique.

26. Mr. JOHNSTON

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that under the rates of dietaries supplied for use by governors of prisons in Scotland, the only class of inmates which is given a supply of fish on any one day of the week is the class of criminal lunatics and defectives, and that other classes of inmates have had the fish course discontinued since 1930; and whether he is prepared to arrange for the inclusion of fish in the rates of dietaries and the provision of proper facilities for cooking?

Sir G. COLLINS

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Prison dietary rates are at present under consideration and I shall bear in mind, in connection with this review, the suggestion made by the right hon. Member.

Mr. JOHNSTON

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain why the only class which gets a guaranteed fish ration is the class of criminal lunatics and defectives?

Sir G. COLLINS

Prisoners used to receive a fish ration, but in 1930, for reasons best known to the authorities in charge at that time, it was discontinued. I am looking into the matter.

Mr. JOHNSTON

Was not the reason for its discontinuance the fact that the prisoners would not eat boiled fish and demanded it fried?

Sir G. COLLINS

I understand at that time most of the prisoners came from England.

Miss HORSBRUGH

Are herrings included with the other fish?

Sir G. COLLINS

I will also look into that matter.

40. Mr. MATHERS (for Mr. CASSELLS)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that in His Majesty's prison of Barlinnie, Glasgow, persons sent there for Borstal training are permitted to mix with criminals undergoing long terms of imprisonment; and what steps, if any, he is prepared to take to remedy this?

Sir G. COLLINS

The persons referred to are mainly lads whose Borstal licences have been revoked because of convictions 0or serious misconduct while out on licence, and they are allowed to associate only with juvenile adult prisoners. When the new Male Borstal Institution, for which an initial instalment of £20,000 is provided in this year's Estimate of the Prisons Department for Scotland, is completed, all Borstal lads will be accommodated there.

Mr. GARRO JONES

What is the highest age of what the right hon. Gentleman describes as the juvenile adult prisoner?

Sir G. COLLINS

Under 21.