§ Mr. WILLIAM REDMOND (on behalf of Mr. John O'Connor)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Miss Selina Martin was detained in Liverpool Gaol as a prisoner awaiting trial on the 21st December, 1909; will he say if she was refused bail and put in irons during her detention and whilst she was still an untried prisoner; if she was frog-marched and forcibly fed, and, if so, for what offence was she so punished; will he also say if there was any inquiry by magistrates before such punishment; and, if not, by whose authority and by what regulations such treatment was meted to an untried prisoner?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Churchill)Selina Martin, who was refused bail by the magistrate in the exercise of his discretion, was treated, while in Liverpool Prison on remand, in strict accordance with the rules for untried prisoners. No force was used towards her beyond what was rendered necessary by her very violent and destructive behaviour, and her resolve to starve herself. The allegations to the contrary were carefully investigated by magistrates, who found them to be untrue. I would refer the hon. Member to an answer sent by my predecessor in office to inquiries made by a correspondent with regard to the case which was published in the newspapers of the 12th ultimo. I will send him a copy.