§ 38. Mr. KEIR HARDIEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will state to the House the reasons which led him to release from prison unconditionally Lady Sybil Smith, daughter of the Earl of Antrim and well known as a militant suffragette, after serving four days of a sentence of fourteen days' imprisonment for an offence committed by her in connection with the militant agitation for women's suffrage; and whether he is prepared to extend the same clemency to Mrs. Pankhurst, Miss Sylvia Pankhurst, and Mr. George Lansbury, an ex-Member of the House of Commons, and others who are also undergoing terms of imprisonment, varied by periods of release 1739 under licence, for alleged offences committed in connection with the same movement?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)I have already stated, in reply to a question by the Noble Lord the Member for the Hitchin Division, that the sentence passed on Lady Sybil Smith was reduced by the chief magistrate, while the case was still within his jurisdiction, to four days. She v, as released on the expiration of that sentence. There is no analogy between this case and the cases of the persons mentioned in the hon. Member's question, whose sentences have not expired; but I should be glad, if any of them would give me an assurance that he or she would in future abstain from all participation in criminal acts and incitements, to consider the question of reduction of sentence.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEWas Lady Sybil Smith asked to give any sureties?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir; I am very sorry if I have have not made it clear to the hon. Member; Lady Sybil Smith's sentence had expired; the sentences of the others have not expired.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEI had intended to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House in connection with this matter, but not desiring to interfere with the Indian Debate, I beg to give notice that on Tuesday afternoon I shall call attention to the subject.