HC Deb 17 December 1959 vol 615 cc1639-40
42. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that one of the obstacles to the rehabilitation of ex-prisoners is that, because their National Insurance cards are unstamped, they are unable to draw benefit, and potential employers become aware of their records; and what progress has been made towards ensuring that all prisoners are enabled to earn enough money, while serving their sentences, to have fully stamped cards when they leave prison.

Mr. Vosper

Ex-prisoners who are ineligible for National Insurance benefit and need help are given National Assistance. The lack of a fully stamped card is not peculiar to ex-prisoners and does not identify them as such. As regards the general question of prisoners' earnings, I would refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 72 to 74 of the White Paper on "Penal Practice in a Changing Society".

Mr. Driberg

Does the right hon. Gentleman know anything about the difficulties that these men experience in getting National Assistance—for one thing, very often not having a fixed address as soon as they come out of prison? Besides discussing the matter with his expert advisers, who, no doubt, do their best, and with the valuable voluntary societies, has the right hon. Gentleman ever considered talking to an ex-prisoner himself?

Mr. Vosper

Yes, indeed. I will look specifically at the question of National Assistance. The more fundamental question is that of earnings for prisoners, which is a more difficult but important issue.

Dr. King

Is the Minister aware that my hon. Friend's proposal about the stamping of National Insurance cards has the support of all voluntary prison workers?

Mr. Vosper

That is a question for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance. There are, however, other categories who would have to be considered before that was done.

Miss Bacon

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that if that course were to be adopted, it would go a long way to help a prisoner to feel at home in society and not an outcast when he comes out of prison?

Mr. Vosper

I accept that, but this matter is associated with the question of prison earnings, which is a difficult and complex issue. It would not be easy to exempt this category of people from having their cards stamped.