§ 29. Mr. Hydeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent the prison service is at present below normal strength; and how he proposes further to recruit suitable candidates as prison officers.
§ Mr. DeedesOn 1st April the basic grade men officers were 252 below their authorised strength of 3,922; the women, 47 below their authorised strength of 258. Pay increases ranging from 18s. 6d. a week to 30s. a week for men, and from 16s. to 27s. for women were announced last month and have been widely advertised. Special recruiting pamphlets and 1163 posters are also in preparation, and my right hon. and gallant Friend hopes these measures will prove to be effective.
§ Mr. Anthony GreenwoodCan the hon. Gentleman say how many years it will take to bring the service up to strength at the present rate of recruitment?
§ Mr. DeedesNo, Sir, but I can tell the hon. Gentleman what the present rate is. The number of inquiries about employment in the prison service rose from an average of 218 a week to 432 a week when the pay increase was announced.