HC Deb 03 April 1912 vol 36 c1168
Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Home Secretary whether, in consideration of the grave charges against Mrs. Pankhurst, now in prison serving a term of imprisonment for another offence and the difficulty she must experience in preparing her defence, he will advise His Majesty to grant a remission of the remainder of her sentence and not oppose an application for bail pending her trial, so as to place her in as favourable a position to prepare her defence as her co-defendants, Mr. and Mrs. Pethick Lawrence?

Mr. McKENNA

I have advised the remission as from to-morrow of the remainder of the sentence which Mrs. Pankhurst is now serving. It will then be open to her to apply to the magistrate for admission to bail pending her trial, and I understand that no opposition to the granting of bail will be offered by the prosecution.

Sir GILBERT PARKER

Has the right hon. Gentleman any objection to giving reasons for the decision of the Home Department in this case as he gave reasons in a similar case yesterday?

Mr. McKENNA

I think it would be very undesirable to give reasons without notice.

Mr. KING

Are not the reasons obvious enough?