§ Mr. HAYESasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will reconsider the claim for compensation for injuries sustained by the late prison officer J. E. Stutton, Holloway prison; and whether he is aware of the sworn affidavit that the medical officer's recommendation for light duty was not carried out and that Stutton's continued heavy duties militated against his fitness to remain in the service?
§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESThis case was considered very carefully by the late Home Secretary, who did not feel able to support the claim made on this man's behalf. I am cognisant of the facts, and I do not see my way to make any recommendation in the case.
§ Mr. HAYESasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that a considerable number of prison officers in England and Wales are living many miles distant from their homes owing to the lack of proper accommodation; that only 10s. per week or thereabouts is allowed as compensation for this, and in some cases subsistence allowance has been stopped completely; and will he review this matter?
§ Mr. DAVIESPrison officers transferred in the public interest from one town to another, who are unable to obtain unfurnished accommodation at their new stations, are granted personal allowance at rates and under conditions prescribed by the Treasury, which are subject to periodical revision.
1222W
§ Mr. HAYESasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Principal Officer Kellow, Dartmoor, was on 4th February, 1924, served with notice to quit his quarters and threatened with legal proceedings, and that this officer's retirement does not take effect until the end of this month; and whether these steps have been taken under the Prison Act, 1865, Section 16, and without regard to the provisions of the Rent Restrictions Acts?
§ Mr. DAVIESPrincipal Officer Kellow retired on the 29th February. On the 4th February, he was warned, in accordance with strict Treasury regulations, that on the date of his retirement he must vacate his quarters, and further warned that, should he not do so, legal proceedings would, if necessary, be taken to secure possession. As it appeared likely that this notice would be ineffectual, he was served on the 22nd instant with notice under the Prison Act, 1865, in accordance with the Treasury ruling that in all ordinary cases of retirement the officer is to leave his quarters on the date he ceases to do active duty. In accordance with advice since received from the Treasury Solicitor, this notice will in future be served, not before, but on the date when duty ceases.
§ Mr. HAYESasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the widow of the late Officer Roff, Wormwood Scrubs Prison, has been informed that if she and her five children did not quit Government quarters within seven days the prison authorities would cause police to enter and put the furniture in the yard; and whether he will see that this family is granted further consideration pending the obtaining of other accommodation?
§ Mr. DAVIESThe answer is in the negative. Officer Roff died on 25th January. On 11th February the Governor was requested to inform Mrs. Roff that the Commissioners regretted they were obliged to call on her to vacate the quarters she is now occupying by the end of February, but the Governor reported that Mrs. Roff would not be able to vacate by the 29th February. The question of permitting families to remain in Government quarters after the cessation of an 1223W officer's active duty is governed by strict Treasury Regulations. It is, therefore, necessary that Mrs. Roff should now be given legal notice.