§ MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the arrest, in Manchester, in February last, of Donata Cholla, charged with begging; whether the woman was far advanced in pregnancy; whether bail was offered at the police station and refused; whether, after some 24 hours' detention in the cell, the woman's state became so alarming that she was sent home in a cab, in the charge of two policemen, and shortly after died; and whether any steps can be taken to ensure either the liberation of persons charged with trifling offences who are in a dangerous state of health, or, at any rate, of placing them under-proper medical care?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. MATTHEWS,) Birmingham, E.I am informed by the Chief Constable that this woman was far advanced in pregnancy, but that her condition was not perceptible on account of her excessive corpulence. Upon her arrival at the station bail was offered by her husband, but, the Inspector being out on special duty, the husband was told that bail would be taken if he returned at 11 o'clock. He returned, but did not again tender bail, and consequently the woman was detained. She made no complaint until 12 o'clock on the following night, when she was at once sent home, and died two days afterwards from blood poisoning. The City Coroner held an inquest, and acquitted the police of all blame, and the Watch Committee, who made a special inquiry into the matter, found that the police had treated the woman with every kindness. I believe the practice of the Local 1753 Authorities to be in conformity with the suggestions in the last paragraph.
§ MR. BRADLAUGHDo I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that the woman died two days after she was sent home, because I understand that she was sent home on the Monday morning, and died the same night.
§ MR. MATTHEWSShe was sent home on the Sunday night.
§ MR. BRADLAUGHIt was after midnight, and was practically Monday morning.