Mr. Edwards Evansasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that workshops for disabled persons, particularly blind workshops where trade union rates for labour apply, are finding it impossible to compete with products such as mats made in Her Majesty's prisons where these rates are not applicable; and, in view of the difficulty in finding markets for these products owing to undercutting in prices due to lower labour charges, if he will arrange for alternative forms of industrial training to be found for prisoners in Her Majesty's prisons leaving the manufacture of mats, brushes and baskets out of the training schemes.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI am looking into this matter in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour. If the hon. Member has any evidence of particular instances which he wishes to bring to my notice, I shall be glad to receive it.