§ Mr. SNOWDENIn view of the seriousness of the answers given just now by the Home Secretary, I beg leave to move the adjournment of the House in order to call 524 attention to a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the infliction on women prisoners in Holloway prison of punishment dangerous to health.
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt has been ruled on former occasions that where the ordinary administration of the law is carried out, no occasion arises for moving the adjournment. If the hon. Member had shown at Question-time that the ordinary administration had been departed from, there would have been a proper occasion for moving the adjournment. That has certainly not been shown, and I do not know that it has been suggested.
§ Mr. SNOWDENMay I urge, with great respect, that these women are political prisoners, and that the ordinary practice as regards political prisoners is being departed from?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member begs the whole question by that statement. It is a very controverted statement indeed. I understand that these ladies were placed, under the due administration of the law, in the second class. Whether or not that was properly done, it was done by the magistrate, and we have no power to alter it.
§ NEW MEMBER SWORN.—John George Hancock, esq., for the Mid-Division of Derbyshire.