HC Deb 18 June 1917 vol 94 cc1454-6W
Mr. C. DUNCAN

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can give the average record of temperature for December, January, and February, 1917, in the bed-sitting rooms of the female staff of the principal Scottish prisons; can he say whether fires were not allowed, although complaints were made; whether the system of heating has already been condemned at one particular prison by a medical gentleman; and whether he is in a position to give an assurance that the female staff may be more sympathetically treated in this matter in the future?

Mr. MUNRO

There are no bed-sitting rooms for female officers in Scottish prisons. Bedroom temperatures are not taken. Fires are allowed in bedrooms on occasions when the governor and medical officer think it necessary. I am not aware that the heating system in any prison has been condemned by a medical gentleman. As regards the last part of the question, I have no reason to suppose that the female staff of Scottish prisons are subjected to unsympathetic treatment in these and other matters.