§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEI beg to ask the Home Secretary a question, of which I have given him private notice: Whether he can state the number of prisoners now being forcibly fed in consequence of indulging in a hunger strike; whether Hugh Franklin is among these, and, if so, has he received any special report on the state of his health; and what length of time this forcible feeding has been applied in each particular case?
§ Mr. McKENNAI only received the hon. Member's notice after three o'clock, and consequently I am not in a position to answer all his points. The number of prisoners now being forcibly fed is four. Mr. Hugh Franklin is among the number. I saw a report as to his health this morning and there was nothing in the report to suggest alarm. I cannot say how long the process of forcible feeding has been carried on in each case.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIECan the right hon. Gentleman arrange to facilitate the delivery of communications? This was handed in at the door to the messengers at one o'clock, and marked "Urgent."
§ Mr. McKENNAIf the hon. Member will be so good as to address questions to the Home Office I shall always receive them earlier.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a man died the other day in Stafford Asylum through being forcibly fed?
§ Mr. McKENNAI heard of the case this morning.