§ 16. Sir Richard Pilkingtonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much damage to yachts and other property was done recently in Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, by Borstal boys brought over to help in the clearance work for the National Trust; what supervision there was; and what action has been taken in the matter.
§ Mr. Fletcher-CookePolice enquiries into this incident are nearing a conclusion. The precise extent of the damage to property is not yet known. The working party, which consisted of ten boys, was in the charge of an assistant governor and one officer.
§ Sir Richard PilkingtonCan my hon. and learned Friend say whether any compensation is to be paid, and can he give an assurance that proper precautions will be taken in future?
§ Mr. Fletcher-CookePrecautions will certainly be taken. They were in this case and will continue to be taken, but the incident was quite unpredictable and came as a sad shock in view of the trust which had been placed. Compensation is the subject of correspondence, and since there may be proceedings, I would prefer not to elaborate on that this afternoon.