HC Deb 21 March 1911 vol 23 cc237-8
Mr. HUNT

asked whether Mr. Franklin is being forcibly fed in prison or has been forcibly fed in prison; and whether the offence for which he is committed is one involving personal dishonour?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The prisoner refuses to take his food in the ordinary way and has to be fed by tube, but when the food is supplied through a tube he takes it quietly, and forcible feeding is unnecessary. No question arises as to whether his offence involves personal dishonour. A discretionary power is given by Parliament to the Secretary of State, and I do not propose to apply the conditions of the new rules in the future to male persons who commit acts of violence and disorder.

Mr. HUNT

Am I to understand that the treatment of women is different from that of men?

Mr. CHURCHILL

In this as in many other matters.