§ MR. BURNIE (Swansea Town)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received a communication from Mrs. Gertrude Jenner, of Denvor Castle, Cardiff, with reference to the case of Emily Culliford, who was wrongly charged with murder at Penarth, and acquitted at the Swansea Assizes, and who, whilst in custody and before her trial, is stated to have been subjected to unnecessarily harsh treatment; whether suitable compensation can be given to Miss Culliford for the wrong she has sustained; and whether he will take steps to prevent undue severity towards persons in custody before they are tried?
§ MR. ASQUITHI have inquired into this matter, and a full answer is being sent to Miss Jenner dealing with the various grounds of complaint alleged by her. The general result is that, beyond the indignity to which all innocent per sons are unfortunately exposed who are arrested on a gross charge such as this, which turns out to be unfounded, there is no reason for thinking that Miss Culliford was harshly treated. It is impossible, therefore, to recognise any claim to compensation without establishing a precedent which could be invoked by all persons who are shown to have been wrongfully accused. Any case in which undue severity is alleged will be carefully investigated, and if the allegation is sustained there will be no hesitation in, taking fit action.