HC Deb 05 April 1944 vol 398 cc2022-4W
Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will publish in HANSARD a further categorical statement showing the progress made in implementing those recommendations of the Oliver Committee on Military Prisons and Detention Barracks which concern the Army.

Sir J. Grigg

The following statement sets out the recommendations of the Oliver Committee which concern the Army and the progress which has been made in implementing them:

(1) Establishment of Military Provost Staff Corps training school.

A school of instruction for the training of the staff for military prisons and detention barracks has been established at Fort Darland. The first course assembled on 6th January. Pending its establishment courses of instruction were held at the detention barracks at Aldershot.

(2) General increase in staff at all establishments.

An increase of 12 per cent. in the number of staff sergeants and sergeants has been provided.

(3) Existing Regulations against use of obscene language should be more strictly enforced.

All commandants of military prisons and detention barracks have been instructed to warn all members of the staff that the use of obscene or intemperate language will not be tolerated, and that offenders in this connection will be severely dealt with.

(5) Additional Commissioned Officers at all Military establishments.

The establishment of commissioned officers has been increased by six Majors and 18 Captains.

(6) Appointment of whole-time Medical Officer for each establishment. Changes of such Medical Officer should be infrequent.

Owing to the shortage of medical officers it is unfortunately impossible to implement this recommendation in full at the present time. Steps, have, however, been taken to ensure that a medical officer is immediately available at each establishment, when required, and at each of the five larger establishments a medical officer is in fact attached for full-time duty.

(7) Provision of Sick quarters in all establishments where they do not exist.

Sick quarters are now installed at all military prisons and detention barracks except Aldershot. At Aldershot the quarters should be completed shortly.

(8) Improvement of night sanitary arrangements in all establishments.

In most cases the necessary improvements have been completed.

(9) That all diet tins be rendered and kept bright.

Instructions have been issued that diet tins should be kept clean but not polished since polishing removes the tinning and makes the tins liable to rust. Unserviceable tins are immediately exchanged for new ones.

(11) Facilities for general education and training should be extended.

Additional educational instructors have been authorised, the syllabus of education has been enlarged and more periods of compulsory education included in the general training syllabus. Facilities are given to enable soldiers under sentence to obtain special books which they need to continue their studies.

(12) The system of segregation of different types of detainees at present in force should be strictly maintained.

The system of segregation, by age, length of sentence, degree of recidivism and nature of offence, is at all times strictly enforced.