56. Miss Rathboneasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether arrangements can be made for separating first offenders in prisons from old offenders from the beginning of their 1288 stay instead of, as now sometimes happens, after several weeks interval during which they are included with hardened offenders?
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Herbert Morrison)A prisoner cannot be finally classified until his record has been received from the police, and under war-time conditions this often involves some delay. Governors have, however, a discretion to classify a prisoner as a "star" provisionally pending the receipt of his record, and I believe that generally speaking proper use is made of this discretion, but steps are being taken to remind all Governors that they should follow this procedure.
§ Mr. GallacherIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the lad, whoever he may be, is classified as soon as he is convicted?
§ Mr. MorrisonI am afraid the hon. Member is off the rails. That is another issue altogether.