asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many escapes were made from Borstal institutes during the period 1st January to 31st December, 1946; the average time between escape and recapture; and the total number of crimes known to have been committed by detainees during such periods of escape;

(2) how many escapes were made from His Majesty's prisons during the period 1st January to 31st December, 1946; the average time between escape and recapture; and the total number of crimes known to have been committed by prisoners during such periods of escape.

There were, in the course of the year, 41,000 persons detained in prisons, and 4,500 in Borstal Institutions: and there were 165 escapes from prisons, and 662 from Borstal Institutions. I regret that the further information asked for is not available.

Is the Home Secretary aware that many of these escapes arise from the practice of governors of Borstal institutions ignoring a lad's previous history when putting him into a position of trust which enables him to escape? Will he take steps to stop this practice?

No, Sir. I believe that governors exercise a very wise discretion. One has to give a lad this amount of freedom before it can be ascertained whether he is capable of bearing the responsibility. With every one else, I regret that so many fail to shoulder the responsibility properly, but I should be reluctant to indicate to governors that I thought they were exercising their discretion other than wisely.

If a Borstal institution is housed in a prison, is it classified as a Borstal institution or as a prison?

As a Borstal institution.