§ Mr. Curranasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make, a statement on the progress of the work of the Advisory Council on the Employment of Prisoners.
§ Mr. BrookeMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have recently received an important and valuable report from the Advisory Council, entitledThe Organisation of Work for Prisoners. While welcoming the steps already taken towards increasing prisoners' working hours, it outlines plans for a thorough reorganisation of prison industries on modern lines. The nature and scale of the proposed developments require, in the view of the Council, the appointment of a man with wide experience of management in really progressive industry to take charge of them. My right hon. Friend and I welcome the report and accept its recommendations. It is published today, and copies are available to hon. Members in the Vote Office.