§ 41. Mr. ASTORasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether bail was refused to Miss Grace Roe and Miss Nellie Hall when recently arrested; whether they were forcibly fed for seven weeks when on remand; whether ho has directed that in future cases of the same kind the granting of bail shall not be opposed by the prosecution; and whether the seven weeks spent in prison prior to trial will be reckoned as part of their sentence?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)Miss Hall was on remand and awaiting trial 4½ weeks and Miss Roe 6 weeks, and during that time they were forcibly fed. Their sentences date from the first day of the sessions at which they were tried, the 23rd June, one month from the date of their arrest. I have given instructions that bail should not be opposed by the prosecution in these cases provided it is in suitable amount and the prisoner promises not to commit outrage in the meantime. In the case of these two prisoners bail was not opposed by the prosecution, but was refused by the magistrate in his discretion. In spite of their refusal of food their health has not suffered, and I regret that I do not feel justified in advising the remission of the sentences passed on these prisoners unless they will give an undertaking to refrain in future from criminal acts and incitements to crime, in which case I should be glad to do so.