§ 66. Mr. Osborneasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what official consultations he had before eight prisoners were sent from Bermuda to England on 29th March, owing to the lack of proper facilities in Hamilton Prison; on what charges they were convicted; what were their sentences; how much it will cost to maintain them; and if he will undertake that they will be repatriated immediately their sentences are completed.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerEight prisoners were recently removed from Bermuda to the United Kingdom, under the Colonial Prisoners Removal Act, 1884. There were the normal consultations with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies and the Bermuda Government. The prisoners had been convicted of a variety of serious offences and were serving terms of imprisonment or detention ranging from three years to ten years. I will be glad to let my hon. Friend have further particulars if he wishes. The annual cost of maintaining the prisoners is at the moment estimated to be about £420 a head, and this will be repaid by the Bermuda Government. The Act authorises the return of the prisoners to Bermuda for discharge, and this would be the normal course in such cases.