§ 13. Mr. Hardyasked the Minister of State for Defence what is the number of men now serving sentences in military prisons from each of the Services, the maximum number of such men who can be accommodated, the number of staff employed, both civil and military, and the cost per prisoner per week involved.
§ Lord BalnielThe four military corrective training establishments for men sentenced to detention can accommodate 615 men, with a staff of 290 Service men and 67 civilians. There were 92 sailors, 218 soldiers and 14 airmen in detention at the last count. I regret that the information requested in the last part of the Question would not be available without disproportionate effort.
§ Mr. HardyMay I ask whether the Minister will review the arrangements for the imprisonment of members of the Armed Forces, particularly in view of the serious over-crowding being experienced in civil prisons? Will the Minister, therefore, revise the military establishments to see whether it is possible to transfer part of our military corrective establishments to civil use because of the unsatisfactory situation now applying to civilians serving terms of imprisonment?
§ Lord BalnielMy hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State responsible for the Royal Navy yesterday made a statement to the House about reforms which are being made in the Naval Detention Quarters at Portsmouth, and the matter is continually under review. I do not think that it is feasible to use the corrective centres of the Services for use as civil prisons.