§ 11.5 a.m.
§ LORD ROYLEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the average weekly expenditure on food per prisoner in H.M. Prisons in the years 1964 and 1965 and in the first six months of 1966.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD STONHAM)My Lords, figures are available only for financial years. In 1963–64 the average weekly expenditure per prisoner in England and Wales was 14s. 11d. including the estimated value, at growers' prices, of food produced on prison service farms. The corresponding figure for 1964–65 was 17s. Figures for 1965–66 are not yet available.
§ LORD ROYLEMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for that Answer. I wonder whether he is satisfied that the increase in the amounts is due to more than increases in food prices. Is he satisfied that the quality has improved as well as the prices? It may be small wonder that we hear of all sorts of troubles in prisons because of the quality of the food. May I ask my noble friend whether the Home Office have anything in mind for the future about improving these figures, so that prisoners may be fed much better than they are at the moment?
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, the difference of 2s. 1d. between the two years is partly accounted for by an increase of 9d., from 4d. to 1s. 1d. per prisoner per week in the cash allowance for extra items of food. The remainder of the difference is represented by the increases of the cost of food. As I believe my noble friend will be aware, the food expenditure is 1760 based on ration scales. I am satisfied that the ration scales provide sufficient bulk and calories, but I am certainly not satisfied that there is sufficient variety in the diet. On my many prison visits testing the meals I find that in many cases they are excellent, thanks to the efforts and skill of the cooks and the catering staff, and there has been an improvement. But a little more money would enable us to provide a better diet, and we are most anxious to do so; the present climate, however, is hardly the one in which to ask or press for a little more money.
§ LORD ROYLEMy Lords, I thank my noble friend.