§ 54. Mr. Thurtleasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that some of the cells in Wandsworth Prison are in a verminous condition; that the vans used for the conveyance of prisoners from prison to court are so constructed that prisoners are unable either properly to stand or sit down, and that frequently prisoners due for trial are not provided with facilities for washing and shaving before appearing in court; and if he has any statement to make?
§ Sir S. HoareIn the course of a year over 3,000 prisoners pass through Wandsworth Prison, and occasionally the presence of vermin in cells is detected. Close watch is kept and stringent measures of cleansing are at once taken whenever vermin appear. As regards the police vans and tenders in which prisoners are conveyed to Court, they are provided with seats and the compartments are so constructed as to allow of sitting in a normal position. I know of no foundation for the statement that prisoners are not provided with facilities for washing and shaving. All prisoners are provided with facilities for washing in their cells: and there are regular arrangements for shaving, special care being taken to see that remand prisoners have opportunities for shaving before their appearance in Court.
§ Mr. ThurtleWill the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to have a really exhaustive inquiry made into the condition of the cells at Wandsworth, and in particular the bedding. For instance, is he aware that the blankets are changed only once in 12 months?
§ Sir S. HoareI cannot accept that statement of the hon. Member without investigation. Obviously, after what he has said I will look into the matter again, but I have no reason to suppose that his statement is correct.
§ Mr. Benjamin SmithWill the right hon. Gentleman undertake to make it an instruction to all prison authorities that 1112 shaving facilities shall be afforded definitely to all remanded prisoners?
§ Sir S. HoareI understand that they are.