§ 3.15 p.m.
§ LORD CHORLEYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they accept the proposals of the Prison Officers' Association for the 446 active co-operation of prison officers in the rehabilitation of prisoners as set out in their recent memorandum to the Home Office; and, if not, why not.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD DERWENT)My Lords, the memorandum to which the noble Lord refers was discussed at a recent meeting of the Prison Department Whitley Council, at which the representatives of the official side said that they welcomed this constructive approach to the work of the prison officers and suggested that the proposals contained in the memorandum should be studied by a Joint Working Party. The Working Party has now been established and will meet for the first time next week.
§ LORD CHORLEYMy Lords, I thank the Minister very much for his reply. I am sure it will give great encouragement to the Prison Officers' Association and to all those of us who are very much concerned with this problem of prisoners and the whole prison system.