HC Deb 17 November 1938 vol 341 cc1034-5
28. Mr. Thurtle

asked the Home Secretary whether any attempt is being made to provide prisoners detained under the Preventive Detention Act with manual instruction to fit them for carrying on their normal occupations after release, in accordance with the provisions contained in the Act?

Sir S. Hoare

Yes, Sir. Details of the work upon which persons undergoing preventive detention are employed are set out in Appendix No. 6 to the annual report of the Prisons Commissioners. Useful employment has been found in several industries, and the introduction of an earnings scheme has produced satisfactory results in inculcating habits of steady industry.

Mr. Thurtle

Is the Home Secretary aware that some of these prisoners are detained in prisons which do not have facilities for manual training, and will he consider the possibility of transferring all this class of prisoners to prisons where facilities for manual training exist?

Sir S. Hoare

That is the intention as set out in the Bill which I circulated yesterday. There are, however, problems affecting prison accommodation; but within those limitations that is what I should like to see done.