HC Deb 24 June 1913 vol 54 cc970-1
52. Mr. F. HALL

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if any cases have arisen recently of convicted persons resorting to the practice of hunger-striking, other than those arising out of offences in connection with the movement to secure votes for women; and, if so, whether the persons concerned have been dealt with in the same manner as suffrage prisoners?

Mr. WEDGWOOD BENN (Lord of the Treasury)

At present there are three such cases. One male prisoner, sentenced to eighteen months' hard labour for burglary, another sentenced to twenty months' hard labour for obtaining goods by false pretences after a previous conviction, and a third sentenced to eighteen months' hard labour for larceny after a previous conviction of felony, are refusing their food, and are being forcibly fed.