§ 53. Mr. MacDermotasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement about his communications with the chairman of British Railways concerning the employment of ex-prisoners.
§ Mr. BrookeI am most anxious to enlist the co-operation of all employers in providing employment for former prisoners and borstal inmates. With regard to British Railways, Dr. Beeching has assured me that applications for employment from such persons are considered on their merits in relation to such factors as their offences, the type of work concerned, the length of time since their conviction, and their subsequent record. He has promised to undertake to draw the attention of the British Railways management to my appeal that every possible chance should be given to a former offender who is trying to make good.