§ 12. Mr. Langasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of cases of attempted escape reported from His Majesty's prison at Dartmoor since its use as a Borstal institution.
§ Mr. EdeThere have been 25 cases of escape from Dartmoor since its use as a Borstal Institution; apart from these cases there has been no case of attempted escape.
§ Mr. LangDo not these figures confirm the desirability of removing these boys as soon as possible and could my right hon. Friend give further information?
§ Mr. EdeI regret to say that the other Borstal institutions indicate a similar number of escapes in each case. They do not fortunately attract as much publicity as the Dartmoor escapes. I explained to the House the other day that I have now been able to make arrangements which will enable me to forecast the closing of Dartmoor as a Borstal Institution at an early date, and I hope, with the per mission of the House,, to make a statement on the subject on this day week.