HC Deb 16 January 1945 vol 407 cc15-6
26. Mr. W. J. Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will consider appointing to the Advisory Council for the Treatment of Offenders, a member of the subordinate grades of the prison service, who would be able to bring practical experience to the meetings of the Council.

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. T. Johnston)

I recognise that prison officers have valuable experience of which the Council, when it comes to take evidence about the treatment of prisoners, will no doubt be glad to avail itself. I have, however, deliberately refrained from appointing to the Council any of my own officers or, indeed, any one representing a particular interest.

Mr. Brown

Does the Minister realise that one of the difficulties of such bodies as he has appointed is that they make recommendations without realising the practical consequences in terms of the duties of the prison officer himself? Would it not be an actual safeguard to appoint such an officer to the Council?

Mr. Johnston

Yes, Sir, but my hon. Friend will be perfectly well aware that there are many interests with specialised knowledge, and if we started to appoint one interest to the Council, it would raise difficulties with the other interests. Therefore we thought it advisable to make sure that the members of the Council should not be appointed because of any special interest.

Mr. Gallacher

Would the right hon. Gentleman not consider appointing to such an Advisory Council one who has been in prison but has received remission of sentence?

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