§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTON (Tower Hamlets, Poplar)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the report of an inquest held at Her Majesty's Prison, Maidstone, on 10th March, upon the body of Samuel Wilson, aged 50; whether it is a fact that, after his committal by the Cranbrook Magistrates for seven days' hard labour for vagrancy, the deceased, who was in a low physical condition and had no overcoat, was driven by the police 14 miles in an open trap during bitterly cold weather; and whether, since the evidence showed that death was due to pneumonia contracted as a result of this exposure, steps will be taken to generally enforce the recommendation of the Coroner's jury, that in future, under similar circumstances, prisoners shall be conveyed in closed conveyances?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. MATTHEWS,) Birmingham, E.My attention has been called to the inquest on Samuel Wilson at Maidstone Prison. I am informed that during the two days prior to his removal from the lock-up at Cranbrook, Wilson ate his meals and made no complaint as to his health, and that there was nothing to lead the Police Authorities to suppose that he was otherwise than in a good state of health. The prisoner was fairly clad, and was supplied with a rug for the journey. He made no complaint on arriving at the prison. The doctor at the inquest was unable to say that the prisoner took cold on the journey to the prison. I understand, however, that in future steps will be taken by the local police to provide covered conveyances for the carriage of prisoners when the weather is inclement.