HC Deb 23 February 1911 vol 21 cc2073-4
Mr. O'GRADY

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of Mrs. Woolmore, charged at Epping on the 10th February with neglect of her five children, who was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment; whether he is aware that the doctor's evidence for the prosecution was that the cottage and the children were dirty, that the children looked exceedingly well in health, but that the conditions would be serious in case of illness; that it was also adduced that the woman was of sober habits; and that the woman pleaded that she was hampered by the cottage having no water supply, and that she was ill; and whether, seeing that she had to fetch all the water required from a mile distant, often carrying her youngest child with her, he will take action with a view to mitigating the sentence passed upon her?

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

My attention has been called to the case. The facts are not quite correctly stated. The evidence showed that the children and the cottage where they lived were, owing to the mother's neglect, in an indescribably filthy condition. The woman had been repeatedly warned. There was water fit for washing purposes in a pond close to the house, and drinking water had to be fetched only about 200 yards. The justices tell me that in sending the woman to prison they had regard chiefly to the interests of the children, and hoped that before her release a better cottage would be found by the father. The case is a difficult one to deal with. The reports I have received from the prison medical authorities show that the woman is weak-minded, and indifferent to her imprisonment. She is being carefully treated, and her release at this moment would not be for her good or for the good of the children. I have decided that I would not be justified in interfering with the sentence: and I hope that before its expiration the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (with whom I am in communication) who prosecuted, and the many benevolent persons who have taken an interest in the case may be able to make some arrangement for the family which will prevent their reverting into the same miserable condition as before.

Mr. O'GRADY

May I ask is it not a fact that the only water supply was some 200 yards away from the cottage; whether that water was not pump water, and whether or not it was fit for the purposes of drinking? And, also, is it not a fact that the medical officer who inspected the children stated that they were healthy, and that the whole complaint of the children themselves was the fact that the cottage was insanitary; and is it not a fact that the woman on 13s. 6d. per week had to keep five children, her husband, and herself?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I think my answer covers all that.

Mr. O'GRADY

Will the Home Secretary consider this point? That the woman has been in prison six weeks; that the children are in the workhouse; that the whole family life has been decimated; and whether, under these circumstances, the woman is not entitled to some reconsideration of her sentence?

Mr. CHURCHILL

It is not a question of mercy. If the use of the prerogative of mercy would have beneficial results I should not hesitate to apply it, but in this case it is more a question of treatment. Arrangements must be made to prevent the miserable condition in which these children were living being restored when the mother comes out.

Mr. O'GRADY

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability, instead of allowing the woman to remain in prison, of having her put into hospital and carefully nursed, as the whole of her condition, both mental and physical, was due to the fact that only 13s. 6d. per week was available for the sustenance of the whole family of seven?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I said the woman is reported as being weak-minded by the prison medical authorities, and she is receiving treatment in accordance with her condition. She is not being punished, but is being treated as a person in her condition should. I cannot say whether she is in the prison hospital at present, but she is under the constant supervision of the prison medical officer.

Mr. O'GRADY

Arising out of that——

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member must put down any further questions.