HC Deb 14 April 1938 vol 334 c1308
57. Mr. Kennedy

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that about 400 Scotsmen committed to prison during the last 12 months for various offences were unable to read or write; whether he can indicate the districts in Scotland in which the offences mainly took place; and whether he can offer any explanation of the high rate of illiteracy in this class of the population?

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Elliot)

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The offences in question mainly took place in the southern half of Scotland, although no information is available as to the localities from which the offenders originally came. As regards the last part of the question, the number of illiterate prisoners is 3 per cent. of the total. This compares with a figure of 11 per cent. 25 years ago.

Mr. Kennedy

May I take it that those referred to in the question who go to prison may be regarded as aliens?

Mr. Elliot

I should not like to say that.

Mr. Thorne

How does the right hon. Gentleman explain this state of affairs when Scotland is supposed to have the best educated people in the world?

Mr. Elliot

The percentage of illiteracy in England in 1936 was 2.77 as compared with 2.31 in Scotland.