28. Mr. Whiteleyasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the strong feeling against childbirth taking place in prison; and whether he is pre-pared to introduce legislation to abolish such practice.
§ Sir S. HoareThis would involve an amendment of Section 17 (6) of the Criminal Justice Administration Act, 1914, which gives the Secretary of State power to release temporarily a prisoner if he is suffering from disease which cannot properly be treated in prison or if he requires to undergo an operation which cannot properly be performed in prison. I will, of course, see that the question is not overlooked when any amendment of the Prison Acts and related legislation is under consideration, but I am not prepared to give any definite undertaking at the moment.
Mr. WhiteleyIs not the right hon. Gentleman prepared to use all the powers that he already possesses in order to prevent such occurrences?
§ Sir S. HoareI have no such powers. I am bound by Statute law, and have given the hon. Member the details.
Mr. WhiteleyI was under the impression that in quoting the law the right hon. Gentleman was indicating that he already had powers to deal with this matter.
§ Sir S. HoareNo, I was indicating exactly the opposite and saying that I have not the powers.
§ Mr. GallacherDoes the right hon. Gentleman recognise that this practice is a crime against the child committed not by the mother but by the Home Office, and will the right hon. Gentleman stop this criminal practice?
§ Mr. H. G. WilliamsIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in 1924, 40,000 inhabitants of Reading petitioned the Socialist Home Secretary to release a woman in these circumstances and he de-dined?