§ Mr. Jeffrey Archerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his decision to replace visiting committees of prisoners with a board of visitors.
§ Mr. CarlisleVisiting committees are in general appointed by courts of quarter sessions to prisons which receive direct committals; and my right hon. Friend appoints boards of visitors to other penal establishments. Since the Courts Bill proposes the abolition of courts of quarter sessions, provision is made for the appointment of boards of visitors for all establishments. My right hon. Friend is considering representations from the Magistrates' Association about the composition of these boards.