§ 23. Mr. Kellyasked the Home Secretary what were the circumstances of the transfer in November, 1935, from Wakefield Prison to Wormwood Scrubs Prison of Cecil Chapman, serving a sentence of three years' penal servitude for forgery; whether other prisoners serving terms of penal servitude have been transferred to Wormwood Scrubs; and who paid the cost of Cecil Chapman's removal to Wormwoood Scrubs for a period of 17 weeks?
§ Sir J. SimonThe prisoner in question was transferred temporarily to Wormwood Scrubs Prison in pursuance of an order under Section 11 of the Prison Act, 1898, directing his production to give evidence in criminal proceedings then pending in London, and he was re-transferred after the conclusion of those proceedings. It is not uncommon for a prisoner who is in a prison at a distance to be transferred temporarily to a London prison if his presence is required to give evidence, but I could not say without detailed inquiry in how many cases such transfers have occurred. Such small expenses as may be involved normally fall upon the Prison Vote.
§ Mr. KellyWill the right hon. Gentleman look further into the case and see whether it is necessary for this man to be here for as long a period as 17 weeks in order to give evidence?
§ Sir J. SimonI will look into that.
§ 24. Mr. Kellyasked the Home Secretary the number of officers who in 1936 were removed from duty at Wormwood Scrubs prison; and what were the reasons assigned for such removal?
§ Sir J. SimonDuring 1936, 16 officers —excluding those who retired on superannuation—ceased duty at Wormwood Scrubs prison. Of these, 11 left on promotion or transfer to other establishments for service reasons; three resigned (two of them giving the reason that they wished to take up other work); and the engagements of two were terminated during the probationary period as not being fully qualified for the post of prison officer.