§ 95. Mr. W. Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the public disquiet in Manchester about the number of 187W prisoners who have eluded custody at Strangeways Prison, Manchester; and whether he is satisfied that the prison staff is adequate in number, and suitably employed, to ensure maximum security.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeI have told the House that I fully appreciate and share the public concern in this matter. An adequate complement of officers is authorised for this prison, and security is the primary consideration in their deployment. Although at the time of the escape the staff was short of its full complement, I am satisfied that this had no relevance to the circumstances of the escapes.