§ 25. Mr. Shurmerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in view of the series of attacks made on warders in Winson Green prison during recent months, what steps he is taking to see that as soon as possible this prison is adequately staffed.
§ Mr. EdeApart from an attack last month on an escort in a bus, during an attempt at escape by prisoners who were being taken from the prison to Stafford, the only attack on prison officers at this prison in recent months occurred on 7th November, when two officers were assaulted simultaneously from behind in one of the shops. Steps are being taken to bring those who are believed to be responsible for the assault before the Visiting Committee on disciplinary charges. Neither of these incidents is due in any way to under-staffing. The prison is adequately staffed by present-day standards, and, even if the staff were larger, there would have been no greater number of officers present when these incidents occurred.
§ Mr. ShurmerIs my right hon. Friend aware that the statement about under-staffing was made by the chairman of the visiting justices the morning after the attack?
§ Mr. EdeNo, Sir, I was not aware of that, and it does not coincide with the information I have obtained from the prison.
§ Mr. W. J. BrownIs the Home Secretary aware that there is not a prison in Britain today which is not grossly understaffed, and is he not aware that the recent increase in the assaults on prison staff is a direct outcome of the policy of his Department in that matter?
§ Mr. EdeI was very careful in the wording of this answer to refer to present day standards. I think it is common knowledge that the standard is less than the pre-war standard. As staff becomes available, the staff will be brought up to the pre-war standard, but I am satisfied 2311 that with the difficulties that confront them the present staff are working loyally, and the information I get in reply to my inquiries is that the number of assaults has not risen as a result of the present shortage.
§ Earl WintertonIs not the whole matter mixed up with question of pay and conditions in the prison service, which the right hon. Gentleman knows, without my giving away any confidences, have been the subject of very careful consideration by Home Secretaries for years past, and is he prepared in the near future to make some statement on what steps are being taken to improve those conditions?
§ Mr. EdeI have the question of pay and allowances before me. An improvement might possibly assist in the matter of getting staff, but I do not think a prisoner assaults a badly paid officer more than he would assault a better paid one.
§ Earl Wintertonrose—