§ 8. Earl WINTERTONasked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the fact that the address of a female suffragist defendant, by name Merrion, charged at Richmond police court with arson, was withheld at her own request; and if it is his intention to permit defendants in future charged with serious crimes to conceal their addresses?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHThe Secretary of State has seen a report of the case. It is, my right hon. Friend is advised, within the magistrate's discretion to direct that a prisoner's address should not be disclosed.
§ Earl WINTERTONWill this privilege be equally extended to men as well as to women?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHIf the Noble Lord had listened to the answer he would have heard that it is in the discretion of the magistrates. The Home Secretary cannot interfere with that discretion, and it is entirely a matter for magistrates to exercise it.
§ Earl WINTERTONWill the hon. Gentleman send out instructions to magistrates to extend this privilege to prisoners irrespective of their financial position?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHI would like notice of that question.