§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many physically handicapped persons are currently serving a sentence in British gaols; and what attention he is giving to the transfer of such persons to more suitable accommodation.
§ Dr. Summerskill:No central record of the number of physically handicapped persons in prison department establishments in England and Wales is main- 558W tained. There is no provision for the transfer of such persons from prison to other accommodation except for the purposes of medical or surgical treatment which cannot be provided in the establishment. It is for the courts when passing sentence to decide whether imprisonment is appropriate in such cases.