HC Deb 17 February 1916 vol 80 c219
13. Mr. SNOWDEN

asked if any woman has recently been tried in this country as a spy and condemned to death; and, if so, has the sentence been carried out or is it to be carried out?

Mr. SAMUEL

A woman spy was tried at the Central Criminal Court before three judges and a jury, found guilty, and sentenced to death. An appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeal, consisting of five judges, was dismissed. After consultation with the judges, the sentence has been commuted to one of penal servitude for life. I would add that her activities were discovered within six days of her arrival in this country, and from that time to her arrest her communications were effectively intercepted until her identity was established, and she was arrested.

Mr. SNOWDEN

Will the right hon. Gentleman say if she was a British subject or an alien?

Mr. SAMUEL

No, Sir, not a British subject.