§ MR. MACDONALD (Tower Hamlets, Bow)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that political agents, acting on behalf of the Conservative Party, have been permitted to attend at the Wormwood Scrubbs Prison, that on July 4 two agents occupied one of the waiting rooms within the precincts of the prison, and that various officials were requested to attend the said agents and explain their political opinions, their names being marked accordingly; whether these arrangements were made with the knowledge and consent of the Governor of the prison, and, if not, by whom they were made and who was responsible; and whether he will cause full inquiry to be made into the whole matter without delay, so that the facts may be laid before the Revising Barrister, who will shortly be sitting for that district?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. ASQUITH,) Fife, E.I am informed by the Deputy Governor in charge that two agents of the Conservative Association applied in June last to be allowed to see the officers of the prison with a view to completing the register. They were informed that they could only see those officers who wished to have their names registered, and that if they attended at the ordinary waiting room, which is outside the inner gate of the prison, the officers might be informed they were there. They came on July 4, the officers were informed, and were told that anyone who wished to see them could do so. No officers were requested to attend—their attendance was purely voluntary. These arrangements were made with the knowledge and consent of the Governor. There does not appear to me to be need for further inquiry, nor is the matter one of which the Revising Barrister could take cognisance. But I think that the practice of allowing the agents of either political Party to visit the prison in this way is open to objections, and it will not be permitted in future. If the agents wish to see the officers they must visit them in their houses or quarters.