HC Deb 19 February 1946 vol 419 cc943-4
22. Mr. Yates

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has had an opportunity of investigating the circumstances in which the relatives of Driver Maguire, who is at present serving a sentence of imprisonment at Shepton Mallet, Somerset, were only permitted to see him for 10 minutes after travelling7½ hours, on 22nd December, 1945; and will he take the necessary steps to see that relatives of those serving such sentences are treated with more consideration.

Mr. Lawson

This soldier's relatives were allowed to see him for the full normal period of 20 minutes. No application was made for an extension of the visit, and as the authorities were unaware of the distance Driver Maguire's relatives had travelled they had no reason to suppose that an, extension would be required. If an extension had been applied for it would, in fact, have been granted in accordance with the normal practice of allowing extra time in cases where relatives have travelled for a considerable distance.

Mr. Yates

Is the Minister aware that, in addition to the statements in the Question, the relatives of this soldier alleged that not only were they not allowed more than 10 minutes, but that they were told by an official not to come again? Will he also consider the further allegation that the mother had to wait six months, from June to December, before she could obtain any information about what had happened to her son, which caused considerable anxiety? Will he give further consideration to this matter with a view to obviating such anxiety to parents of soldiers serving sentences?

Mr. Lawson

I can tell my hon. Friend that I will give careful attention to his points, but, as a matter of fact, I have gone thoroughly into this matter so far as I could with the information at my disposal, and the answer I have given is the only one possible in the circumstances.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the Minister aware that there is a regulation that any prisoner being far away from home will be transferred from the prison he is in to the prison nearest to his home while he is having a visit and will he say whether this also applies to military prisoners?

Mr. Lawson

That raises another question.