§ 18. Mr. Thomas Coxasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new work industries are proposed for Her Majesty's prisons.
§ Mr. CarlisleIn general, prison industries will continue to rely on developing the woodworking, engineering, clothing and textiles, weaving, laundry and metal recovery industries. The scope for expansion in electro-mechanical and plastics work is being explored.
§ Mr. CoxI welcome that reply. Does the hon. and learned Gentleman agree that one of the top priorities within the prison service should be the introduction of constructive new work industries, especially for long-term prisoners? I suggest that it is time we did away with mail-bag sewing and brush-making which still abound in so many prisons and are of no benefit as such to either prisoners or society.
§ Mr. CarlisleI assure the hon. Gentleman that we are anxious to secure an extension of work within prisons. This has to be viewed in conjunction with the present problem of overcrowding, but within those terms we are doing the best we can to expand the prison industries.