§ Mr. WILKIEasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is satisfied that the governors of prisons are having due regard to the comfort of the male and female staffs under them; whether, under the present regulations, if a fire was required in the small grate of a female officer's private bed-sitting room during wet and cold weather two or three days would elapse before the fire would be sanctioned even if recommended by a medical officer; whether the prison commissioners some time ago received a recommendation for such fires from the female staff at Greenock; and, if so, what action was taken?
§ Mr. MUNROThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second in the negative. As regards the third part, a complaint of cold and dampness was received in January, 1917. The alleged dampness was inquired into, with the result that it was reported due to the exceptional weather. The officer in charge was reminded that he had discretion to allow fires in special cases, keeping in view that bedrooms are not intended as sitting-rooms. A fire was allowed and on a change of weather the cause of complaint was reported to have been removed.