§ 33. Sir R. Aclandasked the Home Secretary whether it is being found possible to do anything to increase the safety of inhabitants of His Majesty's prisons during air raids?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonAs I intimated in reply to a Question by the hon. and learned Member for North Hammersmith (Mr. Pritt) on 17th instant, prison buildings of the cellular type are in themselves exceptionally strong and appear to afford a high degree of protection against blast and against fire risk. To attempt to move large numbers of prisoners from their cells to other accommodation during an air raid, more particularly at night, might well expose them to additional risk; and the provision and use of special shelters has therefore been limited to particular establishments where individual buildings are below the normal standard of constructional strength.
§ Sir R. AclandWill the Minister bear in mind that some prisoners have, I think, been killed? They were in the top storeys of a prison. To be kept in solitary confinement on the upper floors of a building during an air attack is a form of punishment that was not intended. Will he see whether there can be some revision of the sentences passed upon prisoners who have to put up with this acute form of punishment?
§ Mr. MorrisonI resent the suggestion that this is an additional form of punishment. We are doing our best for prisoners, but the hon. Member must realise that there are other people than prisoners who have to take these risks.
§ Sir R. AclandI did not want to suggest that anybody is doing this on purpose. It is happening, through nobody's fault.