HC Deb 02 November 1944 vol 404 cc948-9
37. Mr. W. J. Brown

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the staff of the prisons at Manchester and at Durham are still living in the prisons themselves; and whether he can report what progress he has made in securing outside living accommodation for them.

Mr. H. Morrison

I assume that the Question refers only to women officers. While it is true that the official quarters provided at these two prisons are within the prison walls, the officers are not required to live in them if they can find accommodation outside. To assist them to do this the lodging allowance was recently increased, and a request for a further increase is now under consideration. I hope as soon as conditions permit to have good hostels built outside these prisons for the women officers. The conversion of existing property might offer an earlier, if less satisfactory solution, and will be explored if the staffs concerned so desire, though in present conditions building labour and materials may not be available for such work.

Mr. Brown

I beg the right hon. Gentleman to recognise that this is a very longstanding difficulty, and that it is not met by allowing the women to sleep out of the prison if they can find accommodation, which they often cannot do. Will he use the utmost possible expedition in the matter?

Mr. Morrison

I will do all I can, but I am rather hampered owing to the conditions of war time.

Earl Winterton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that those of us who take an interest in the matter and have previous Ministerial experience of it are deeply concerned as to the conditions under which the men and women of the prison service have to work? Will he try to improve them as soon as possible?

Mr. Morrison

I will do all I can.