HC Deb 31 July 1913 vol 56 cc720-2
43. Mr. HUNT

asked whether any man or woman, whether a suffragette or not, would, under the Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for Ill-Health) Act., be let out of prison, although convicted of purposely breaking windows or setting fire to houses, if he or she decided to starve themselves whilst in prison?

Mr. McKENNA

If the hon. Member means by "any man or woman" every man or woman, the answer is in the negative. If, however, the ordinary construction is placed upon the words "any man or woman," the answer would depend upon the circumstances of each case.

Mr. HUNT

Are we to understand that any persons who call themselves suffragettes, whether they are of the gender of the goose or the gander, are now under the law given privileges which are not allowed to other people? Would the right hon. Gentleman make that clear?

Mr. McKENNA

If the hon. Member means whether in every case such persons would be given privileges, the answer is in the negative. If he means that in a particular case privileges might be given to that particular person, the answer is that it would depend upon the circumstances of the individual case.

Mr. HUNT

Then we are to understand that suffragettes have got a chance of getting some advantage over all other people under the Home Secretry's late Act?

Mr. McKENNA

No, on the contrary, I am afraid that the effects of starvation in prison cannot be described as an advantage.

Mr. HUNT

It is voluntary starvation.

60. Viscount WOLMER

asked the Home Secretary why he has offered Miss Agnes Lake, who was recently sentenced to six months' imprisonment in the third division for managing the advertisement columns of the "Suffragette," a pardon on condition that she resigns her membership of the Women's Social and Political Union; and what authority he has for attaching conditions as to a prisoner's future politics to any pardon conferred on her?

Mr. McKENNA

The Noble Lord has been misinformed. I have made no such offer.

Viscount WOLMER

Would the right hon. Gentleman state he has not offered a conditional pardon to this lady?

Mr. McKENNA

That is not the question which the Noble Lord has put on the Paper.

Viscount WOLMER

Has the right hon. Gentleman offered this lady a pardon on condition that she refrains from identifying herself with this militant union?

Mr. McKENNA

That is exactly the question which the Noble Lord has on the Paper, and which I have answered in the negative.

Lord HUGH CECIL

Has there been an offer?

Mr. McKENNA

I cannot say from memory whether in this particular case I have made any offer at all, but if I did it would be similar to other cases, that if they gave an undertaking that they will not join in any future action to break the law, not to keep out of a particular organisation or not, but if they will not break the law, I will consider whether the case should not be favourably dealt with.