§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEI beg to ask a question of which I have been able to give the Home Secretary very short notice. The information reached me only a short time ago. The question is whether he has been informed that Miss Ainsworth, who was released this morning from Winson Green Gaol, Birmingham, alleges that a steel instrument was used to force open the mouth of those women who have had to be fed by force, and a cork gag was inserted to keep the mouth open; and whether, in view of his former statement that this had not been done, he has received any fresh official information on the subject?
§ Mr. BELLOCBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers that question I wish to ask whether in this matter anything different has been done to women from what has been done to men in times past without protest from any part of this House?
§ The HOME SECRETARY (Mr. Gladstone)Of course the treatment has been applied to men without demur. As regards the question put by the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydvil, I only received it ten minutes ago. Perhaps he will be good enough to put it on the Paper.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEWill the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries?
§ Mr. GLADSTONEYes, certainly.