HC Deb 19 February 1959 vol 600 cc532-3
37. Mrs. Braddock

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make available, in the prison libraries, copies of Command Paper No. 645, Penal Practice in a Changing Society, in order that any prisoner who desires to study it may be able to do so.

Mr. R. A. Butler

Yes, I shall be pleased to arrange this.

Mrs. Braddock

Is the Home Secretary aware that quite a number of hon. Members have received requests from prisoners with reference to this Command Paper? In view of the fact that very few of them will have the opportunity of discussing it anywhere else, is it not very necessary to have the consumers' point of view on it?

Mr. Butler

I think that we ought to be able to arrange the distribution to which the hon. Lady refers within a week.

Mr. Hector Hughes

In view of the valuable experience which these prisoners may be able to draw upon, will the right hon. Gentleman invite their comments on the White Paper?

Mr. Butler

If we could obtain any reactions in this experimental period, especially on those questions which affect future legislation, I should, of course, like comments from any quarter.

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