§ MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAMI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Governor of Stafford Prison is acting within his right in refusing permission to attend Divine Service within the prison to the alleged Anarchists now awaiting trial under his charge; whether it is customary in Her Majesty's prisons to keep in solitary confinement accused persons under remand or awaiting trial, with only half-an-hour's exercise per day allowed, and that not every day; whether the authorities of Stafford Prison are within their right in so keeping the alleged Anarchists; whether accused persons under remand or awaiting trial have a right to receive letters, subject to such letters being first read over by the prison authorities; and by what right the Governor of Stafford Gaol has kept such letters back from the alleged Anarchists, thereby seriously hampering their defence?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI am informed by the Governor of Stafford Gaol that the prisoners do not attend chapel because they stated that they did not care to go to Divine Service, and were of no religion, and because they ridiculed the service. Like all other prisoners, those awaiting trial are kept in separate cells, except when medical reasons forbid it. Prisoners awaiting trial have 40 minutes' exercise each day when the weather is fine. These prisoners are treated in conformity with the Prisons Act of 1865 and the rules made thereunder. No letters referring to their defence have been kept back from these prisoners. Two letters containing improper matter were kept back by the Governor in the exercise of that discretion with which he is intrusted by the Regulations in the Schedule to the Act of 1865.
§ MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAMMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, as these men do not wish to attend Divine Service, and considering that such attendance is in many cases looked upon as merely a chance of getting out of the cell, they will be allowed in lieu of attending chapel to take exercise?
§ MR. MATTHEWSThe Statute does not provide an alternative to attending Divine Service.