HC Deb 04 March 1909 vol 1 cc1589-90
Mr. MacNEILL

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been directed to the words of Mr. Cecil Chapman, metropolitan magistrate, on 18th February, that he was not inclined to preach the virtues of patience and contentment to women who had realised their just right to vote, and that everyone recognised the right of women to vote except the men who desired to keep them from political independence; and whether, having regard to this expression of opinion from a member of the bench of magistrates who, in the discharge of their duties, have had to deal with cases arising out of the Suffragist agitation, and the purely political character of the offences with which the ladies now undergoing imprisonment are charged, he will see his way to advise their removal from the second to the first class of misdemeanants?

Mr. REES

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question in regard to, the last two lines, will he not consider the removal of magistrates who preach politics from the bench?

Mr. GLADSTONE

I am informed, through the Chief Magistrate, that the remarks made by Mr. Chapman were absolutely and entirely dissociated from anything connected with what are known as militant methods. They were not misunderstood by the audience, but the report separated them from their context. As regards the last part of the question, I have nothing to add to my former answers on this subject.

Mr. HUGH LAW

In reference to the last part of his answer or want of answer, may I ask whether there does not exist at present a regulation for the removal of political prisoners as shown by the case of the persons engaged in the Jameson Raid, and are we to take it that an armed raid or incursion into neutral territory is a less serious offence than disobedience to the Prime Minister and the Police?

Mr. GLADSTONE

These questions are not on the Paper to-day, but they were on a former occasion, and I have nothing to add to my answer.

Mr. REES

Does the right hon. Gentleman defend making of remarks of this nature by magistrates?

Mr. GLADSTONE

I have given my answer. According to what I am informed the chief magistrate, Mr. Chapman said the ommission of the context gave a misleading character to what he said. I think myself it is very undesirable that magistrates should make speeches.

Mr. DILLON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if a magistrate in Ireland made such a speech he would be removed from the Bench immediately?