§ Sir W. BYLESasked the Home Secretary whether his attention had been called to the sentences recently passed at the Leeds Assizes upon J. W. Gott and Dr. Nikola; whether the accused were simply convicted of uttering provocatively opinions now widely current and widely published with impunity; and whether, in view of the length of these sentences, he would take immediate steps to have the prisoners released?
§ Mr. McKENNAAs I explained to the House yesterday, one of these prisoners has applied for leave to appeal against his conviction and sentence, and so long as the case is before the Court of Criminal Appeal, I cannot say anything about it.
§ Sir W. BYLESAs the House will be rising in a few days, will the right hon. Gentleman give a pledge that he will act promptly as soon as the result of the appeal is known? If these men are in prison under a bad and obsolete law, surely——
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is now entering upon an argument.