HC Deb 04 August 1904 vol 139 cc982-3
MR. CLAUDE HAY (Shoreditch, Hoxton)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Elizabeth Hudson, aged 20, while under remand, from 14th July to 21st July at Holloway Gaol, from Tottenham Police Court, on a charge of suspected stealing, which charge was the first brought against her and was summarily dismissed by the magistrates on 21st July; and Sarah Ann Pratt, aged seventeen, while under remand, from 14th July to 21st July at Holloway Goal, from Tottenham Police Court, on a charge of suspected stealing, from which charge she was released by the magistrates upon a surety of 20s. being given for her good behaviour, had their hair cut off short by the prison authorities; and, if so, will he say whether it is the usual custom so to treat young female prisoners under remand.

*MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

My attention has been called to the case of the two women mentioned in the Question. I find that their hair was cut in accordance with the prison rule which requires prisoners under remand to have their hair cut when this is necessary on account of dirt or vermin. The necessity of such a rule is obvious in the interest of the cleanliness of the prison and for the protection of other prisoners; but it is not the custom to cut the hair of prisoners under remand. It is done only on medical grounds when the hair is actually verminous, and when milder methods of treatment are impracticable.

MR. CLAUDE HAY

May I ask whether, as a matter of fact, the hair of these women was cut before they were submitted to the inspection of the medical officer?

*MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

I am making inquiries on that point.

MR. CLAUDE HAY

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the report of the medical officer is available for Members of this House?

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

Would it not be possible for the authorities, in cases like this, to wash the hair instead of cutting it?

*MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

I have said that I will make further inquiries, and all the information I can get shall be communicated to the House.

MR. CLAUDE HAY

But when will the information be available? We are near the end of the session; and I am anxious to have this matter cleared up before we separate.

*MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

There will be no avoidable delay, but that is all I can say at present.