§ MR. BRUNNER (Cheshire, Northwich)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that the practice of marching prisoners, handcuffed together in long lines, through the streets of Chester still continues; and whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. MATTHEWS, Birmingham, E.)I have made inquiry both of the Chief Constable of the Borough and of the County. The former reports that, according to the invariable practice for years, prisoners are not marched through the streets at all, but conveyed in cabs or vans. The latter reports that it is not the practice to handcuff prisoners, unless it is absolutely necessary for their Safe custody, but that it has been found advisable to use handcuffs in the case of prisoners coming from a certain district where riotous elements exist, and there was reason to anticipate attempts at rescue or escape. I have written to the Chief Constable, saying that, as a rule, it is very undesirable to march prisoners handcuffed through the streets, and asking whether some other means cannot be devised for meeting the particular danger which he specifies.