§ 39. Mr. V. Yatesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many lavatories there are on each landing in the average closed local prison; and how many prisoners each lavatory serves, including those on landings where the men are sleeping three in a cell.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeIf there are cells on only one side of a landing there is normally one lavatory; if there are cells on both sides there are normally two. There are normally about 18 prisoners to each landing lavatory. On landings where men are sleeping three in a cell the average number of prisoners per lavatory is 25.
§ Mr. YatesDoes the Home Secretary consider that the sanitary arrangements are adequate? Is it not very difficult to train prisoners in conditions in which they cannot have self-respect, in the in-sanitary conditions which are characteristic of British prisons?
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeI would not say they were adequate. Indeed there are a good many things we would like to see done. As the hon. Member is aware, however, certain restrictions are at present operating. The real difficulty arises from the fact that there are still so many instances of three men occupying a cell. As the number is reduced—and it is being reduced—I hope that it will improve the position.