§ MR. LUPTON (Lincolnshire, Sleaford)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if there is in the Prison Department any medical evidence to show that twenty-two and-a-half hours solitary confinement out of every twenty-four hours is conducive to physical and mental health; and, if not, will he order the discharge of all female political prisoners who are subject to such solitary confinement.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. GLADSTONE,) Leeds, W.The prisoners referred to in the Question have been specially visited by the Medical Inspector of Prisons, and he found no reason to think that the health of any of them has suffered from the conditions of their imprisonment. He has, however, recommended that they should be allowed two periods of exercise instead of one, and this has been arranged for. They will also be allowed to work in association so far as this is found to be consistent with discipline.