HC Deb 17 June 1912 vol 39 c1313
61. Mr. RONALD M'NEILL

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give his reasons for discriminating between the different classes of women suffragist prisoners in such a manner that those who, by reason of their greater responsibility, were convicted of a more serious offence and received a heavier sentence than their followers are accorded the privileges of the first division, while those guilty of a minor offence are being subjected to more severe punishment?

Mr. McKENNA

There has been no discrimination between different classes of prisoners. My decision to advise the transfer of Mr. and Mrs. Pethick Lawrence and Mrs. Pankhurst to the first division was based entirely upon the recommendation of the jury and the advice which I received from the learned judge who tried their case.

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