§ Lieut.-Colonel RAWasked the Home Secretary whether lie is aware that, as recently as 1916, 30 per cent. of the male persons detained in His Majesty's prison at Brixton were under detention for non-payment of maintenance payable to their wives under justices' separation orders; whether most of the persons so detained were able-bodied men required in industry; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe men detained under justices' orders for non-payment of wife's maintenance formed only a very small proportion of all male persons detained in Brixton Prison in 1916, though they formed about 30 per cent. of the debtor prisoners. At present there are fifteen such cases out of a total of thirty-five debtor prisoners. The prisoners in question are for the most part workmen. I should be glad if any better way could be found of enforcing liability under the orders in question, but I am not aware of any.