§ MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydvil)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of Miss Sylvia Pankhurst, who was on Wednesday last sent to prison for fourteen days at the Westminster Police Court, for alleged disorderly conduct; whether the only evidence against her was the uncorroborated testimony of one policeman, whilst three women of standing, who were called to give evidence for the defence, contradicted that of the policeman in every essential particular, and whether, under these circumstances, he will give instructions for her immediate release.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone) I presume the Question relates to the conviction of Miss Estelle Pankhurst. I have communicated with the learned magistrate who tried the case, and he reports that in his opinion the evidence 519 of the ladies who were called as witnesses by the defendant confirmed the evidence of the constable in essential points. I can find no reason to doubt that the conviction is right, or to think that the fine of twenty shillings imposed was excessive. The defendant's release can be secured at any moment by payment of the fine.
§ MR. KEIR HARDIETo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the proceedings at the Westminster police court on Wednesday last, when ten women suffragists charged with disorderly conduct for having asked for votes for women, were sent to prison for two months for failing to find sureties for £10 each, to keep the peace for six months; and whether he proposes exercising his authority to secure their immediate release.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) These ladies were not convicted, but were ordered by the magistrate to enter into their own recognisances and to find one surety to keep the peace, and on refusal to obey were committed to prison. It is still open to them at any moment to secure their own release by obeying the magistrate's order. In these circumstances, I cannot interfere with the sentences.