§ Mr. HAYESasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that ex-service men are employed at His Majesty's prisons as temporary officers are compelled to work 10 hours per day and seven days per week for lengthy periods; and whether he will consider appointing these men to the permanent staff of the Prison Service, for which the conditions of service include periodical leave of absence with pay?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSTemporary officers work from eight to 10 hours per day as may be required. After three months' service, the night patrols are given one night off per week with pay. The day temporary officers are engaged on a daily rate, and are therefore only paid for the days actually worked. Night patrolling has been done by temporary staff for some 12 years past with satisfactory results, and I do not propose to alter this arrangement. Day temporary officers, in so far as they represent vacancies on the permanent staff, are now being replaced by established officers; but it will always be necessary to engage a certain number of day temporary officers for emergency duties, such as those connected with assizes and sessions.