HC Deb 04 March 1948 vol 448 cc528-9
72. Mr. Anthony Greenwood

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has investigated a complaint by William Docherty, bound over for six months at Willesden police court on 23rd February, that he has been kept in a cell alone for 21 hours a day while on remand in Wormwood Scrubs prison; and what substance there was in the complaint.

Mr. Ede

I have seen a Press report that William Docherty made a complaint to this effect when he appeared in court. I have made inquiries, and find that during the time he was at Wormwood Scrubs prison he was subject to the normal routine for unconvicted prisoners, which provides for them to be out of their cells in association with other prisoners for six and a half hours daily between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Mr. Greenwood

May I thank my right hon. Friend for his reply, which will be very acceptable to prison officials, who strongly resent these unjustifiable allegations which are frequently made.