§ Mr. W. Brownasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the unsatisfactory conditions prevailing at Dartmoor, both as affects prisoners and staff, he will consider the closing down of this prison?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonSo far as concerns the prisoners, I do not think it is right to regard Dartmoor as a specially unsatisfactory establishment, but I am aware that living conditions there are difficult for the prison staff. It is not, however, possible to dispense with this prison accommodation in present conditions and any question of closing down the prison must be deferred till after the war.
§ Mr. Brownasked the Home Secretary what is the net increase, namely, increases less reductions, in the number of posts above the basic grade of male officer in the prison service since the war, and what percentage increase this represents?
§ Mr. MorrisonIn 1939 there were 1,995 approved posts in the basic grade of prison officers and 233 higher posts. There are at present 1,574 approved posts in the basic grade and 224 higher posts. The present proportion of higher posts to approved numbers of the basic grade is higher than at any previous time.
§ Mr. Brownasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that 55 per cent. of the male officers in the basic grade of the prison service can entertain no reasonable hope of ever being promoted out of 1799W that grade; whether he is satisfied with that position; and what steps he proposes to take to improve it?
§ Mr. MorrisonIn this service—as in many other services—the number of supervisory posts required is not sufficient to open prospects of promotion to more than a substantial proportion of the staff. This is one of the considerations of which account is taken in settling the terms of service and retirement, including the provision of long service increments.