§ MR. PICKERSGILLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the report of an inquest, held by Mr. Braxton Hicks on Wednesday last, on a woman who, having been arrested on a charge of being drunk and incapable, was taken to the Battersea Park Police Station and there kept for 28 hours in a cell under the control of policemen, and whether the medical evidence showed that the woman's death resulted from coma; and whether there is any female warder at Battersea Park Police Station to look after women under detention; and, if not, whether steps will be taken to make suitable provision for women under detention in the future?
§ MR. ASQUITHThe woman was found drunk and incapable at 12.25 p.m. on the 19th of May and taken to Battersea Park Police Station, where she was seen by the Divisional Surgeon at 12.45 p.m. This officer said she could remain in the cell, as it appeared to be an ordinary case of drunkenness. The following day, however, as she did not entirely recover, the doctor was again summoned, and by his direction she was removed to the workhouse infirmary, where she remained until her death on the 3rd instant. The medical evidence showed that death ensued from coma, due to meningial hœmorrhage. There is a matron attached to the police station, who is sent for when female prisoners are ill, if they are not removed to the workhouse infirmary. As the surgeon did not order the woman's removal till the following day, but said she might remain in the cells, it would have been better had the matron been called in. I am making further inquiry into the matter.