HC Deb 29 September 1909 vol 11 cc1261-3
Mr. KEIR HARDIE

I desire to put a question to the Home Secretary, of which I sent him private notice yesterday. It is whether he has received an application from a firm of solicitors, acting on behalf of certain of the women suffrage prisoners in Birmingham, for leave to visit their clients under the provisions of Section 6 of Rule 72 of the Statutory Rules and Orders, 1899, and whether the application has been refused, and, if so, on what grounds? May I ask at the same time whether there are any further reports this morning as to the state of health of the women prisoners, and whether forcible means are still being used to administer food?

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

I will also answer the question of the hon. Member for Hoxton (Mr. Claude Hay). It is: Whether the Secretary of State has received an application for permission for a solicitor to visit any of the female prisoners at present detained in the Birmingham Prison for the purpose of consulting with them as to their legal situation, and whether the Government have granted the application?

It is the case that a firm of solicitors asked for permission to visit Birmingham Prison to interview the women prisoners who have been undergoing special medical treatment for self-starvation, and that permission was refused. I have received no application from these prisoners themselves; nor have I reason to think that this firm of solicitors is acting on their behalf. The ground for refusal of such applications is that all complaints about prison treatment have to be made to the visiting committee of the prison, who are specially charged by the Statutory Rules to hear and investigate them. I am advised that the objections of the prisoners' friends or associates to the medical treatment rendered necessary by their refusal to take food does not justify the assertion that any "legal business" exists within the meaning of Rule 72 (6) of the Statutory Rules for the government of local prisons. The visiting committee of the prison held a special meeting yesterday afternoon to hear the complaints of six of the prisoners who have refused to take food. All six were fully heard. They only made a protest against the fact that they were fed against their will. They all stated emphatically that they were treated by the wardresses and the prison officials with the utmost kindness.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

Is the Home Secretary aware that these ladies contemplate legal proceedings arising out of what has taken place in the gaol, and whether in these circumstances this rule does not apply? The rule refers to a barrister or solicitor conducting any legal proceedings, civil or criminal, in which a prisoner is a party or bonâ fide acting as legal adviser to the prisoner. This firm of solicitors was acting for the ladies when they went to prison, and as they intend to take legal proceedings they desire to interview their clients to take their instructions.

Mr. GLADSTONE

The hon. Gentle man appears to speak for these ladies. I do not know on what authority he speaks for them?

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

I speak on the authority of local agents referred to—

Mr. GLADSTONE

That is a very different thing. I may be wrong as to the legal interpretation of the rule as regards people outside the prison who, of their own accord, desire to visit prisoners within. Proceedings can no doubt be taken on that point by those who wish to get leave. I only point out to the hon. Member, so far as I am concerned, the prisoners themselves made no application such as is conveyed by the hon. Member in his question.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

May I ask whether a firm of solicitors are not allowed to make an application on behalf of their own clients, and whether that was not done in this case?

Mr. GLADSTONE

I have no knowledge of it.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

Do you doubt the word of the firm of solicitors?

Mr. GLADSTONE

I doubt the word of nobody, but I have no knowledge as a matter of fact that the prisoners are their clients. In any case it is quite obvious that if an outside firm of solicitors demand to see prisoners in prison on legal business it is absolutely essential that those responsible should satisfy themselves that the legal business is bonâ fide and within the meaning of the regulations.

Mr. DENIS KILBRIDE

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of appointing a small commission in lunacy to inquire into the lunacy or sanity of those people?

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

That comes badly from an Irishman.