§ Sir L. Lyleasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the number of escapes from, and of assaults in, prison establishments of recent months, he will inquire into conditions in prisons and take account of the views of prison officers on the present position?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThere is no ground for the suggestion that there has been an increase in the number of assaults in prisons. As regards escapes and attempted escapes such increase as has occurred is1580W due partly to the difficulties of supervision under blackout conditions and partly to the use in place of one of the London prisons of an establishment which is not so constructed as to afford a high degree of security. Inquiries are always made into the circumstances of escapes and the Commissioners are always ready to consider views expressed by the prison staffs.