§ Mr. J. GARDNERasked the Home Secretary the number of subordinate officers in the prison service who have been dismissed for alleged disciplinary offences for each year for the last 10 years prior to and including 1923?
Mr. HENDERSON:The numbers of subordinate prison officers dismissed in each year since 1913 for offences against discipline were:
1914 10 1915 8 1916 8 1917 10 1918 6 1919 75* 1920 7 1921 8 1922 14 1923 15 *Including 74 who in combination refused duty.
§ Mr. J. GARDNERasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that there has been no official inquiry into the administration of the prison department for 50 years; and whether he will consider the advisability of appointing a committee to inquire into the treatment of subordinate officers and prisoners?
Mr. HENDERSON:As far as the conditions of service of the prison staff are concerned, there was an official inquiry by a departmental committee only last year. An inquiry into the general question of penal reform is under consideration, but, in view of the International Congress which is to be held next year, I doubt if the present moment is opportune for setting up such an inquiry.