asked the Home Secretary what was the nature of the reply made by His Majesty's Prison Commissioners to requests during the past 12 months to permit cinematograph films to be shown in prisons; whether it is against prison regulations to allow films to be shown in prisons; and, if so, whether he will hold an inquiry into the possible advantage of showing selected films of educational and reformative value in prisons?

Captain WALLACE:

Three offers have been made in the period in question: one film was accepted for exhibition at a Borstal institution and one at a prison: the third offer was declined. It is not the usual practice to allow cinematograph exhibitions in prisons, but the Prison Commissioners do not exclude the possibility of using cinematograph films in connection with education schemes in Borstal institutions, or for selected classes of prisoners. There appears to be no case for a general inquiry on this subject.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say how many shows have actually been given in the last 12 months?

Captain WALLACE:

I have told the hon. Gentleman that there were two. Three were offered, two were accepted and one was refused.