§ 33. Mr. Edmund Harveyasked the Home Secretary whether in view of the arrangements that have been made in a women's prison for the benefit of women prisoners during an air raid, some special arrangement can be instituted, in similar circumstances, in men's prisons to mitigate the hardship of solitary confinement during the actual period of bombardment?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonIt would not be right to assume that the arrangement to which my hon. Friend refers in the first part of his Question would be appropriate in men's prisons. As I have explained, in reply to earlier Questions on the subject, there are objections to leaving cell doors open or attempting to congregate large numbers of prisoners in one place, and I think that the balance of advantage is in favour of maintaining the existing practice.
§ Mr. HarveyWould my right hon. Friend consider allowing two prisoners to share one cell during acute bombardment, especially in the case of juvenile prisoners, and would he bear in mind that in their case solitary confinement under such conditions often involves special strain?
§ Mr. MorrisonMy hon. Friend will appreciate that I cannot commit myself, but I will consider that suggestion.