§ Sir G. TOULMINasked the Home Secretary whether the number of persons in prison has continued to decrease during the War; whether he can state the figures compared with May, 1916; and whether any further prisons have been closed since May, 1916?
§ Sir G. CAVEThe number of inmates of local and convict prisons at the commencement of the War was 14,384 males, 2,343 females; total, 16,727. On 30th May, 1916, 7,487 males, 1,664 females; total, 9,151. On 29th May, 1917, 7,378 males, 1,654 females; total, 9,032. Since May, 1916, the following prisons have been closed: Bodmin, Cambridge, Derby, Lancaster, Ruthin, Warwick, and Dartmoor.