§ 106 and 107. Mr. Haleasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) the present maximum rates of payment, weekly, made to male and female prisoners in Her Majesty's prisons for work performed; and if he will state, for male and female prisoners, the numbers qualifying for payment at the most recent convenient date and the numbers who, at that date, received the maximum payment;
(2) if he will state, at the most recent convenient date, the number of male and female prisoners in Her Majesty's prisons entitled to weekly payment for work performed; and the total amount of weekly payment issued at the relevant date.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerAll convicted prisoners who are fit for work are required to work. All untried prisoners may work if they so wish. Payment is made for all work satisfactorily performed except that a prisoner's earnings 135W may be temporarily stopped for an offence against prison discipline. During the week ended 15th January, 1957, the number of male prisoners entitled to weekly payment for work performed was 17,434 and of female prisoners 654. The total amount paid in earnings was £2,050. A prisoner on flat rate payments may earn up to 4s. a week. There is no maximum for piece rates. The average for piece rate workers ranges from 2s. 9d. to 3s. a week. I regret that the number of prisoners qualifying for maximum payments is not available.