§ Mr. Bensonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what total increase in the prison staff would be necessary to introduce a 40 hours' working week throughout the prisons.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeTo introduce a 40-hour working week for all prisoners would necessitate the extension of the three-shift staff system to all prisons. This is at present in operation at nine prisons, and is about to be extended to Dartmoor and Parkhurst, where some 40 more basic-grade officers will be needed at each prison. To extend the three-shift system to all prisons it is estimated that at least a further 550 officers (500 men and 50 women) would be required. Increased industrial activity would also lead to some small increase of staff in other directions.