§ 23. Mr. Deedesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to increase the number of prison officers.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerAn increase of pay ranging from 18s. 6d. to 25s. 6d. a week for the basic grade was agreed in January last. The excellent opportunities for men and women in this service should be more widely known, and I am therefore embarking on a very intensive series of test advertising campaigns in the North and North West of England. The service is doing a fine job and offers an attractive career.
§ Mr. DeedesWill my right hon. Friend answer one point? Does he regard the present establishment as 1373 altogether satisfactory? There are, I believe, something like six prisoners to one officer. Is any attempt being made to raise the establishment as well as to bring the force up to the level of establishment?
§ Mr. ButlerAs I shall be saying in answer to a later Question, the whole matter of the present régime is under review by the Prison Commissioners. In general, contrary to certain reports in the Press, the establishment is, in most cases, sufficient, but I am paying special attention to any claims made that in certain overcrowded prisons there may be difficulties and I will, if my hon. Friend desires, keep in touch with him on this question.