HC Deb 07 June 1951 vol 488 cc1213-4
39. Mr. Kenneth Thompson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will amend the appropriate regulations or instructions so as to authorise prison governors to permit the marriage during imprisonment of prisoners who are the fathers of babies about to be born to unmarried mothers.

Mr. Ede

Parliament has recently authorised the Secretary of State to make rules which may provide for the temporary release of prisoners and when these rules are being drafted consideration will be given inter alia to the suggestion made by the hon. Member.

Mr. Thompson

Why is it that within the last few weeks this permission has been refused, resulting in great hardship to the mother concerned and future inconvenience to the child?

Mr. Ede

Because until these rules are drafted I have no power to grant permission.