HC Deb 12 February 1948 vol 447 cc540-2
2. Mr. Keeling

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has considered the suggestion that uneconomic work by prisoners, such as sewing mail bags by hand, should be superseded by economic production which would benefit the country and in which the prisoners could take pride; and whether he has any scheme to announce.

Mr. Ede

It is the constant aim of the prison authorities to improve prison industries with a view to employing prisoners on useful work in which they can take an interest and pride. Progress has been made with schemes for the employment of prisoners on outside work in agriculture and other work of public utility, and in the development of various industries in the prisons. For many short-term prisoners and those who are physically unfit the making and repair of mailbags is a useful occupation. Unfortunately it is sometimes necessary, through shortage of materials or orders, to do work by hand which would normally be done by machines, but every effort is made to avoid this—not only on economic grounds, but because of the bad effect on the morale of the prisoners.

Mr. Keeling

Can the Secretary of State say who many prisoners are still employed making mail bags by hand?

Mr. Ede

No, Sir. Not without notice.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the Minister aware that prisoners sewing mail bags can talk to their neighbours, whereas men working at machines in the tailor's shop cannot?

Mr. Ede

I think that would be a relief to some prisoners.

Mr. W. R. Williams

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that much more could be done in the way suggested in the Question if more accommodation became available in many of these prisons?

Mr. Ede

The trouble is that accommodation is becoming increasingly short.

Mr. Lipson

Will the Minister publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details about these schemes, telling us how many prisoners are employed on useful economic work in relation to the total prison population?

Mr. Ede

If a Question were put down, for written answer, I would endeavour to give a suitable reply.

Several Hon. Members

rose

Mr. Speaker

Owing to the number of supplementaries, we have managed to complete only two Questions in five minutes.