HC Deb 20 November 1911 vol 31 cc808-9
Mr. SNOWDEN

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that on Thursday morning, the 9th instant, a written request for permission to hold a meeting of the staff of Pentonville Prison on the following evening was submitted to the governor of the prison and signed by more than sixty officers, and that up to 6 p.m. on the Saturday evening nothing had been heard from the governor on the matter; and, seeing that the application was in accordance with the rules, will action be taken at once against the governor for this breach of regulations?

Mr. McKENNA

It is true that on the 8th instant sixty-three officers at Pentonville submitted a written request to the governor to hold a meeting of the staff on Friday evening, the 10th instant. On Friday morning, the governor met a deputation of the officers who signed the request and discussed the subject of the meeting with them, and as he promised to do his best to further their wishes, they agreed that it would be better to defer the meeting. The point on which the meeting was desired was merely the question of wearing belts with uniforms, which has been conceded. There has been no breach of the regulations on the part of the governor or anyone else.

Mr. SNOWDEN

From whence has the information just given been derived?

Mr. McKENNA

The information has been derived from the governor, who has sent to the Home Office a letter signed by the parties who convened the meeting, stating that they are very surprised, and regret that the communication should have been made outside, which was not accurate.

Mr. SNOWDEN

Is the letter signed by the officials who convened the meeting signed by all the sixty-three officials who signed the original requisition, and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the governor became acquainted with the fact that this matter was going to be raised in the House all the warders were put on parade and asked by show of hands to show their confidence in the governor?

Mr. McKENNA

I am not aware of that. I am aware that a meeting was called, but I am not aware that a meeting was called by the Governor. In the course of the letter it is stated, "The above resolution was duly put to a gathering of practically all the uniformed staff and carried unanimously."

Mr. SNOWDEN

By show of hands?

Mr. McKENNA

Yes, I assume so. The letter is somewhat long, otherwise I would read it to the House. The letter explains fully that it was not the wish of the staff that any communication was made outside, that the Governor has met them fully, and that there was no breach or any suggestion of any breach of the Regulations having been made by the Governor or anybody else.