HC Deb 06 August 1913 vol 56 cc1472-3
56. Mr. MORRELL

asked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the sentence of imprisonment recently passed upon Mr. George Lansbury; and whether, in view of all the circumstances of this case, he will take some action in the matter?

Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITH

Mr. Lansbury has been released under the Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for Ill-health) Act after serving only three days. He is liable to return to prison, but it is open to him at any time to bring his sentence of imprisonment to an end by finding sureties to keep the peace.

Mr. MORRELL

Is my hon. Friend aware that it is really in respect of an expression of political opinion that Mr. Lansbury is now under sentence of imprisonment? Has he considered the fact that if the law is allowed to take its course against Mr. Lansbury while no proceedings whatever are taken against the right hon. Gentleman for Dublin University (Sir E. Carson), it will bring the administration of the law into great discredit?

Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITH

That is raising another point. Mr. Lansbury is under sentence; he has served only three days of his sentence, and he can at any moment bring his imprisonment to an end by finding sureties to keep the peace. The concluding part of the question appears to rest rather with Mr. Lansbury than with the Home Secretary.

Mr. SNOWDEN

Has Mr. Lansbury been proved to have committed a breach of the peace?

Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITH

I am concerned with the sentence. He was sentenced to a term of imprisonment which he has not yet served.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

The hon. Gentleman says that Mr. Lansbury can bring his imprisonment to a close by finding sureties. Has the hon. Gentleman considered whether Mr. Lansbury can bring his imprisonment to a close honourably by giving such sureties?

Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITH

That is a question entirely for Mr. Lansbury.