§ Mr. W. J. Brownasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications have been received for appointments to established posts as prison officers from men and women, respectively; how many applicants of each category have been interviewed; how many have been selected for training; and whether any decision has yet been reached to improve rates of pay and other conditions of employment in the prison service.
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§ Mr. EdeAppointments to established posts are made by selection from candidates who have been appointed as auxiliary officers. During the three months 1st November, 1945, to 31st January, 1946, 230 male auxiliaries in post before Ist November applied for establishment, of whom 106 have so far been selected for further training, and 35 auxiliary women in post before 1st November applied for establishment, of whom 23 have been selected for further training. Applications for employment were received during the same period from 834 men, of whom 570 have so far been interviewed and 201 selected for training, and from 60 women, of whom 44 have been appointed as auxiliaries. Prison officers, in common with the rest of the Civil Service, have received the consolidation allowances recently announced. Certain questions affecting conditions of employment are under negotiation on the Whitley Council, but I am not in a position to make any statement as to improved rates of pay.