§ 35. Mr. KEIR HARDIEasked the Home Secretary whether he had come to any conclusion on the matter of treating Mrs. Emmeline Pankhurst and her fellow prisoners as first-class misdemeanants; whether he had received any communication from any of the jurymen who tried the case recommending a remission of the remainder of the sentence; and what decision had he come to on this point?
§ Mr. McKENNAIn consequence of a communication I received from the solicitor representing the three prisoners, I wrote to the judge who tried the case. The judge, in reply, advised me that if the prisoners undertook not to incite to any illegal act while in prison he considered they should be placed in the first division, as he himself would have so placed them at the time of sentence had such an undertaking been given. I have now received the following assurance from the three prisoners:—
We have been asked whether we are prepared to give an assurance that we will not take advantage of any facilities afforded to us as offenders in the first division to incite persons to commit illegal acts. We repeat what we have said throughout, that we consider it too great a responsibility under the circumstances of imprisonment to continue to control the movement, and that while in prison we shall not direct or control the commission of any acts whatever, whether legal or illegal.Although the words used do not exactly conform to the assurance referred to by the judge, they seem to me to have the same meaning, and I, therefore, propose to advise the transfer of the three prisoners to the first division.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEHas the right hon. Gentleman received any communication from a juryman in regard to a reduction of the sentence or the remission of the costs of the trial?
§ Mr. McKENNAI believe a letter was sent by a gentleman who purported to be a member of the jury.
§ Mr. EVELYN CECILIs the decision of the right hon. Gentleman to treat these prisoners as first-class misdemeanants to be a precedent for all future cases of political assaults on the police?
§ Mr. McKENNANo. The hon. Gentleman will see that I have limited the recommendation to the particular circumstances of this particular case upon the advice of the judge.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDWill similar treatment be meted out to those who may be involved in trade disputes, seeing that their agitation is one involving public policy?
§ Mr. McKENNAEach case will be considered upon its merits and after consultation with the judge.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDCan the right hon. Gentleman assure me that the social status of the prisoner will have no bearing upon his decision?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes; I can give my hon. Friend that assurance.