§ 80. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the provisions which at present exist for testing the qualities, abilities and aptitudes of convicted persons for particular kinds of constructive work; and what is being done, during their periods of imprisonment, to train such persons and, on release, to find remunerative positions for them so as to help them to avoid reverting to crime.
§ Mr. Ede:The number of prisoners whose aptitudes and length of sentence would justify their being put on skilled or semi-skilled work is not large, but the desirability is fully realised of providing so far as practicable courses of training in certain skilled trades, including engineering fitting and the building trade. A general account of prison industries and employment is given in the official publication "Prisons and Borstals," of which I am sending a copy to my hon. Friend.
The Discharged Prisoners' Aid Societies and Borstal After Care Associations make 232W every effort on the discharge of a prisoner or Borstal inmate to place him in suitable work, whether or not he has received instruction in a trade while under detention, and to give him such other assistance as will help him to avoid reverting to crime.