§ MR. MYER (Lambeth, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if his attention has been called to the report that the mutinous convicts from Maidstone have been sentenced at Dartmoor to fifty days special diet, to lose all marks, and, in addition, to six months separate confinement; and whether separate confinement means solitary confinement; and, if so, whether he has sanctioned the sentence,
§ *MR. GLADSTONEThe sentences awarded by the director at Dartmoor vary from a minimum of ton days No. 1 diet, with forfeiture of three months remission, up to fifteen days No. 1 diet, 1111 and forty-two days No. 2 diet, forfeiture of marks for remission, close confinement within the legal limit of twenty-eight days, and a second period of separate confinement for six months. Separate confinement does not mean solitary confinement, but only that a prisoner works in his cell instead of working with a party; he has the regular daily exercise, daily visits and instruction in his trade, attends chapel services, and is allowed library books. The sentences do not require the sanction of the Secretary of State, but are within the statutory powers of a director.
§ MR. MARKHAMasked whether the right hon. Gentleman would take into consideration the question of abolishing punishments inflicted with the object of causing physical pain to the men through their stomachs. Was he aware that No. 1 diet is lower than that given in the concentration camps in South Africa which was condemned by His Majesty's present Ministers as unworthy of this country?
§ *MR. GLADSTONEThe question of prison punishment is not easy. You must punish some part of a man. Perhaps my hon. friend will make a suggestion to me on the subject.
§ MR. MARKHAMBirch him.