§ 12. Lieut.-Colonel Sir W. Bromley-Davenportasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to the conclusions of an official survey by a medical practitioner that Borstal boys suffering from an incurable aversion to work should. in certain circumstances, be granted a State pension of f10 per week; how much it now costs per week to keep a boy in Borstal; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. VosperThis was an unofficial survey conducted by the medical officer of a borstal on his own initiative and without extra cost to public funds. The author received permission to publish the results, and in discussing the need for further study of this problem he made an ironic reference to this possibility as a means of emphasising the high cost of institutional treatment, which for a boy in borstal is about £1I a week.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir W. Bromley-DavenportWould not my right hon. Friend agree that instead of paying these moronic beatniks a pension grossly in excess of the wages received by many who have to work hard for their living, more appropriate treatment would be a diet of bread and water, accompanied by regular doses of corporal punishment?
§ Mr. VosperI do not think that I could accept all my hon. and gallant Friend's supplementary question, but I think that he would be interested to see a copy of the article containing the statement referred to. and I will endeavour to send him a copy.