§ Mr. R. Morganasked the Home Secretary whether he is satisfied that the staffs of prisons are adequate in number to discharge their responsibilities; and, if not, what steps he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonA careful watch is kept on the staffing of prisons, and I know of no justification for the suggestion that the size of the staffs is inadequate. In addition to a regular annual review of the staff requirements of each establishment, there is constant consultation between the governors and Prison Commissioners with a view to any necessary adjustments to meet special circumstances at particular establishments.
§ Mr. McEnteeasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the feeling existing amongst prison officers at the failure of the Prison Commissioners to deal promptly and reasonably with representations made by the staff; and whether he will give instructions that such representations should be dealt with promptly and sympathetically?
§ Mr. MorrisonI know of no grounds for the suggestion that there has been any failure to deal properly with representations from the staff. Representations from the staff have covered a wide field, ranging from requests for the special treatment of individual officers to questions affecting the pay, allowances and hours of duty of the whole subordinate staff. On many of these matters agreement has been reached, and if on some items it has not been practicable to reach an agreement, this does not mean that there has been failure on the part of the Prison Commissioners to give them due consideration.