1. All powers and jurisdiction in relation to prisons and prisoners which before the commencement of the Prison Act 1877 were exercisable by any authority shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, be exercisable by the Secretary of State.

4.

(1) The Secretary of State shall have the general superintendance of prisons and shall make the contracts and do the other acts necessary for the maintenance of prisons and the maintenance of prisoners.

27:--

(1) The Secretary of State may at any time if he thinks fit release on licence a person serving a term of imprisonment for life subject to compliance with such conditions, if any, as the Secretary of State may from time to time determine.

(2) The Secretary of State may at any time by order recall to prison a person released on licence under this section

. . .

47:--

(1) The Secretary of State may make rules for the regulation and management of prisons ..and for the classification, treatment, employment, discipline and control of persons required to be detained therein.

(2) Rules made under this section shall make provision for ensuring that a person who is charged with any offence under the rules shall be given a proper opportunity of presenting his case.

49:--

(1) Any person who, having been sentenced to imprisonment . . . . . is unlawfully at large, may be arrested by a constable without warrant and taken to the place in which he is required in accordance with law to be detained.

(2) Where any person sentenced to imprisonment . . . . . is unlawfully at large at any time during the period for which he is liable to be detained in pursuance of the sentence or order, then, unless the Secretary of State otherwise directs, no account shall be taken, in calculating the period for which he is liable to be so detained, of any time during which he is absent from the place in which he is required in accordance with law to be detained . . . . .