HC Deb 26 July 1951 vol 491 cc625-6
25. Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why visitors to His Majesty's Boys' Prison, Wormwood Scrubs, are allowed only between the hours of 1.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m.; why no visitors are allowed on Sundays; and why visits on Saturdays are liable to be curtailed.

Mr. Ede

The prison rules provide that visits to a prisoner shall not, except in a case of emergency, take place on a Sunday. The visiting hours on other days of the week are governed by administrative convenience. The number of visitors at Wormwood Scrubs on a Saturday is very great and visits have had on occasion to be curtailed in consequence, though this is avoided if possible.

Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

Could the right hon. Gentleman review the whole matter, because, in a case of which I am thinking, the parents of the boy live a long way from London and the father has to give up a day's work in order to see his boy during the week? Is it not of the greatest importance that boys awaiting long sentences in Borstal should, as long as possible, be kept in touch with family life?

Mr. Ede

I agree with all the hon. Gentleman says about the desirability of these visits, but, with the present shortage of prison staff, these matters are very difficult to arrange. I will see that every humane consideration is given to this matter.

Mr. James Hudson

As there are crowds of visitors on Saturdays, as my right hon. Friend has admitted, is there not a good case for opening on Sunday, which would be a particularly convenient day?

Mr. S. Silverman

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the congestion on Saturday afternoons is due mainly to the fact that very few working-class people can pay a visit to a prison between 1.30 and 3.30 p.m.? Could he not give consideration to providing some suitable hours on ordinary weekdays?

Mr. Ede

That, again, is mainly governed by the shortage of staff.

Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

As the staff have to be there anyway, presumably, because the place does not shut down for the week-end, could not consideration be given to that matter, since even the Tower of London is now open on Sunday?