HC Deb 02 July 1953 vol 517 cc576-7
30. Mr. Callaghan

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he will not transfer from Swansea prison to Cardiff prison a prisoner whose name he knows, whose home is in Cardiff, in view of the fact that he has given no reasons for keeping him in Swansea.

Sir H. Lucas-Tooth

While the prisons are so overcrowded and the pressure of escort duty is so heavy it is not practicable, as a general rule, to grant prisoners' applications for transfer, and my right hon. and learned Friend would not feel justified in singling out for special treatment the case which the hon. Member has brought to his notice. There are, however, certain prisoners who, having been in Cardiff prison awaiting trial, are committed to Swansea prison on conviction, and vice versa, according to the location of the court of trial; and it is proposed to authorise the two prisons to effect exchanges of such prisoners when convenient. The prisoner in question should eventually benefit under this arrangement.

Mr. Callaghan

I am much obliged.