§ Mr. McEnteeasked the Home Secretary how many resolutions requesting improvements in the scales of pay have been submitted to his Department during the past 10 years by the Prison Officers' Representative Board; and if any improvement in the scales has been effected apart from the increases of January, 1936?
§ Sir S. HoareDuring the past 10 years 26 resolutions submitted by the Prison Officers' Representative Board to the Prison Commissioners were concerned with the scales of pay of various classes of Prison Officers. During this period there has been no general revision in the scales of pay apart from those introduced in January, 1936, but there have been increases in the maxima of the allowances payable in lieu of quarters.
§ Mr. McEnteeasked the Home Secretary how many temporary subordinate prison officers are employed in the prison service who are in receipt of Army or police pensions up to or exceeding £3 per week?
§ Sir S. HoareThere are 43 such officers at present in receipt of Army pensions, all of which are less than £13 per week, and 18 in receipt of Police pensions, of which 11 are £3 per week or less and seven exceed £3 per week.
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§ Mr. McEnteeasked the Home Secretary whether the terms of the Prison Service, Standing Order No. 670, requiring an officer to see and initial any evidence against him is being carried out in all cases?
§ Sir S. HoareI have no reason to think that the requirements of the Standing Order are not observed. If the hon. Member has any evidence to the contrary, I shall be glad if he will communicate it to me.
§ Mr. McEnteeasked the Home Secretary the number of quasi-permanent prison officers employed in London and in other prisons and the approximate number of temporary officers employed in London and in other prisons; and if he will consider the possibility of appointing certain of these grades to the established staff in order that these officers may be allocated posts of responsibility and thus relieve the present tension caused by a shortage of staff?
§ Sir S. HoareOn the 15th instant, 56 quasi-permanent officers were employed in London prisons and 181 in other establishments, including Borstal Institutions. The corresponding figures for temporary officers were 74 and 149. Suitable persons from the unestablished staff are eligible for appointment to the established staff, but it would not be right to lower the standard of qualifications for appointment to the established staff for the purpose of admitting men engaged for less responsible duties. There is no foundation for the suggestion that there is a general shortage of staff.