HC Deb 27 July 1909 vol 8 cc1002-3
Mr. SILCOCK

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has considered the question whether the offences of which the suffragettes have been convicted are or are not to be regarded as political offences; and if he will state whether the Home Office has received any legal advice on the subject?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Gladstone)

Political offences are not in any way recognised by the common law of England, nor can political motive be pleaded in justification of an offence or as in itself entitling the offender to special treatment in prison. Persons guilty of certain offences specified by statute, such as sedition and seditious libel, must by statute be placed in the first division, but it is not, and never has been, the law or practice in this country to accord special treatment to prisoners who, like the suffragettes, have offended against the ordinary law in the course of a political agitation or from political motives, and the introduction of such a practice would be likely to have dangerous consequences. If special treatment were to be provided by law for prisoners who have committed offences, and who could prove that they had acted with a political motive, any persons able to show that they were in earnest on some social or political question could create obstruction, assault policemen, and break windows, without having to anticipate any punitive consequences beyond detention for a short period. In the gradation from trifling offences to murder it would be impossible to fix the point where such leniency should cease. The provision in the Extradition Acts has reference to offences committed abroad, was designed to protect the right of asylum, and has no bearing whatever upon the punishment of offenders for offences committed in this country. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the affirmative.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has given the ladies, who have been accused and punished for breach of discipline in Holloway, including charges of biting and kicking officials, an opportunity of stating their version of what took place, or whether in his replies he is relying on the ex parte statement of the officials?

Mr. GLADSTONE

I do not see how that arises; but if the hon. Member wishes to press that question he will put it on the Paper. I am not in a position to answer it to-day.

Mr. J. C. FLYNN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in this respect the British Government differs from all other Governments in connection with political offences?

Mr. GLADSTONE

Then it is about time other Governments should imitate us.