§ 1. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the representations from the Council of the Magistrates' Association, stating that they are alarmed at the number of young women sent to prison for failing to comply with his directions and urging that such women should be psychologically examined before they are prosecuted; and what reply he has sent in response to those representations?
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Bevin)The present arrangements provide for such an examination to be undertaken where this seems desirable, and I am exploring the possibility of improving the present methods of identifying appropriate cases for special examination. A reply to this effect has been sent to the Magistrates' Association.
§ Mr. DaviesDoes the Minister not think it time he reviewed the whole policy of his Department of prosecuting work-people for offences that were never punishable before the war commenced? Surely it does not achieve anything worth while for the State by prosecuting these people.
§ Mr. McGovernIs the Minister aware that there was a case in Bristol last week where a young girl of 18 was sent to prison for six months? Is not treatment of that kind shocking?