§ MR. GEORGE WHITE (Norfolk, N.W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of Alderman O'Connor, of Fulham, recently imprisoned in Chelmsford Gaol for default in payment of rates; and, if so, will he say whether it is customary for such an offence to compel prisoners to pick oakum, to search them every day, and to supply them with ritualistic tracts.
§ * MR. AKERS-DOUGLASThe prisoner in question was treated in the same way as other prisoners who come within the rules for debtors. Such prisoners must be given some employment, and when the term of detention is so short as fourteen days it is sometimes impossible to find any better employment than oakum-picking. Alderman O'Connor was searched on reception, but only once after that. He was supplied with a Bible, Prayer-book, Hymn-book, and a book called "The Narrow Way" (which I am assured cannot be called a ritualistic tract), and a library book. He made no complaints.