§ Mr. BARNESasked the Secretary for Scotland if he will make inquiries into the 999W conditions of the housing accommodation of the female staffs in Scottish prisons; whether he is aware that the officers were deprived of bedroom fires by order of the Prison Commissioners in February, 1915; will he consider the advisability of restoring this privilege in order that the women may enjoy some privacy; and can he state whether the Commissioners have taken any steps to redress the grievances about which the staffs have complained?
§ Mr. TENNANTI have made inquiries, and I have every reason to believe that the conditions of the housing accommodation of the female staffs in Scottish prisons is quite satisfactory. These officers have the use of common sitting rooms with fires, and my right hon. Friend is mistaken in supposing that they were deprived of bedroom fires generally in February, 1915. The fact is that they are allowed fires in their bedrooms when the Governor considers it necessary. The lighting of bedroom fires as a matter of regular routine led to waste of fuel and is no longer permitted, in view of the urgent need for economy in the consumption of coal.