HC Deb 15 May 1902 vol 108 cc372-3
MR. GALLOWAY (Manchester, S. W.)

I wish to ask the Home Secretary a Question of which I have given him private notice. There is a printed answer in the Votes, † which states in reply to the Question whether there is any distinction in the treatment in convict and local prisons between soldiers sentenced to penal servitude for military offences and criminals sentenced by a civil Court for the worst offences—that "the rules for carrying out of sentences of penal servitude do not differentiate between different classes of convicts, except in so far as a convict may be placed in the star class." I wish to ask the Home Secretary whether this answer refers to all soldiers, no matter what the nature of their offence may be. We have had repeated assurances given by the right hon. Gentleman, as well as by the Secretary for War, that soldiers convicted of offences against military law of the war should be kept separate.

MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member's Question is altogether contrary to the spirit of the new Rules. The hon. Member is referring to a Question which has been answered in print. He may-put down a Question on the subject in the ordinary way, but cannot ask a supplementary Question upon the printed answer.

MR. GALLOWAY

I respectfully submit that I have only done so because the answer indicates an entire reversal of the policy repeatedly announced by the right hon. Gentleman and the Secretary of State for War.

† See page 175.
* THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. RITCHIE,) Croydon

Perhaps the House will permit me to answer the Question, because this is a matter of some importance. I think the answer on the printed paper is, perhaps, somewhat short, and might have been more explanatory. As regards the second part of the Question, the assurances given have referred entirely to soldiers not sentenced to be discharged the Army, and who are to return to the colours; such soldiers are kept separate from the ordinary criminal, and wear a different dress. It is not the offence but the sentence of discharge which places the prisoner in the same category as regards treatment in prison as the criminal, and all sentences of penal servitude carry discharge.