§ The following question stood on the Paper in the name of Mr. SNOWDEN:
§ 31. To ask the Home Secretary if he is aware that there is in Northallerton Prison a conscientious objector, named John Summer, who, on the 22nd March, was-sentenced to two years' hard labour; if he is aware that this man had already had three sentences passed upon him for the same offence, namely, one of four months' hard labour, one of twelve months' hard labour, and one of two years' hard labour, and that, he has already served twenty months in prison; and whether it is intended to continue this practice of subjecting men to the hardest form of criminal punishment for an offence which has already been punished?
§ Sir G. CAVEThis should be put to the War Office.
§ Mr. SNOWDENWhy should the question be put to the War Office? Is not a prisoner in an English gaol under the jurisdiction of the Home Office?
§ Sir G. CAVECertainly; but this relates to the question of calling up the man for military service after the expiration of his sentence, and that is, of course, not a matter for the Homo Office.
§ Mr. SNOWDENWhy has not the usual course been taken of transferring the question to the proper Department?
§ Sir G. CAVEIt was adopted, but for some reason my hon. Friend (Mr. Macpherson) has not got the question.
§ 32. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Home Secretary if he will have a special inquiry made into the health of Councillor George Smith, of Glasgow, who is at present employed on the Home Office scheme at Wakefield, whose health is reported to be suffering severely; and whether he will, in the circumstances, permit him to be removed from his present: position to one more suitable for his health and of some usefulness?
§ Sir G. CAVEA medical report has been called for in this case, and I will communicate with, the hon. Member when it has been received.
§ 34. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Home Secretary whether E. Ribeiro is now an inmate of Wormwood Scrubs Prison; whether he has been sentenced to two years' hard labour; whether he has been forcibly fed in a military hospital for the last twelve months; and whether it is the intention of the Government to continue this treatment of this man or is his release contemplated?
§ Sir G. CAVEThis man is now in Wormwood Scrubs Prison under a sentence of two years' imprisonment passed by a court-martial on the 18th March, and, owing to his refusal to take food, is being artificially fed. As I was informed that he had, before his conviction, been artificially fed in a military hospital for twelve months, I asked for a special medical report upon the case. The report is to the effect that he is in good health and condition, and over the normal weight for his height, and that further imprisonment is not likely to prejudice his health or mental condition. In these circumstances it appears that there are no medical grounds for releasing him. Release on other grounds is a question for the military authorities, to whom any application in that behalf should be addressed.
§ Mr. SNOWDENIs it not a fact that this man was in such a state of health that his court-martial was held with the man lying on his bed?
§ Sir G. CAVEI have no information of that kind, but I think it is highly improbable, in view of the medical reports.
§ Mr. KINGMay I ask, is this man really doing hard labour or is he relieved from labour in order that he may be constantly artificially fed?
§ SIR G. CAVEHe is doing only such labour as he is able to do. I am told he is getting stronger every day.