HC Deb 30 April 1918 vol 105 cc1377-9
3. Mr. LEES-SMITH

asked the Under secretary of State for War whether a prosecution under the new Regulation 40 D of the Defence of the Realm Act took place at the City Police Court, Manchester, on the 19th April; whether the prisoner was sentenced to two months' imprisonment; what was the nature of the medical evidence; and whether the soldier or sailor concerned appeared against the prisoner?

13. Mr. KING

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has now had a Report on the case of a young girl of seventeen years who, on 19th April, was sentenced at Manchester to six months' imprisonment for an offence under Regulation 40 D?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir George Cave)

I have been asked to reply to these questions. I have obtained a police report, and I find that the sentence was two months, as stated in the first of these questions, and not six months. The girl herself stated that she was suffering from venereal disease, and this was confirmed by the prison doctor. The attendance of the soldiers whom she solicited was not, therefore, required.

Mr. LEES-SMITH

Are we to understand that, in contradiction to the statement which the Under-Secretary made in reply to me two days ago, that the magistrates always summoned the soldier or sailor for cross-examination, in this, the first case that arises, the woman has been sentenced to imprisonment without the soldier or sailor being called?

Sir G. CAVE

As a general rule, it would be as stated, but in view of the fact that the woman admitted the offence, there was no necessity to require such attendance.

Mr. KING

In view of the extreme youth of this young person—she is only seventeen—cannot the right hon. Gentleman in some way intervene to reduce the term of punishment?

Sir G. CAVE

It is too soon to consider that.

Mr. LEES-SMITH

As these women do not know of their power to summon the soldier or sailor, will the right hon. Gentleman issue Instructions to the chief constable in each district so that these women on each occasion may be told of their right to summon the soldier or sailor concerned to give evidence?

Sir G. CAVE

The soldier or sailor will be usually called for the prosecution as witness, and the persons charged are always told that they are entitled to summon witnesses.

12. Mr. LEES-SMITH

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the pamphlet recently published by the Liberal Publication Department containing the speech on the War and the terms of settlement delivered by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for East Fife at Derby on the 22nd March was submitted to the Press Bureau in compliance with Regulation 27C of the Defence of the Realm Act?

Sir G. CAVE

The answer is in the negative. I understand that the publishers took the view that as the speech dealt mainly with after-war problems it did not fall within the Regulation, and I think that there is much to be said for that view. The speech is certainly incorrectly described in the question as a speech on the War and the terms of settlement. I may add that other publications by the Department have been duly submitted to the Press Bureau.

Mr. LEES-SMITH

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this speech contains passages dealing with the inception of the War, passages dealing with the conclusion of a clean peace; and, in view of the fact that poor and humble men are imprisoned for single sentences, does he propose to take no action when they came from important individuals or organisations?

Sir G. CAVE

It is a question of fact in each case. I certainly should make no distinction on account of the position of the person concerned. This is a speech on after-war problems, republished with the title "Problems of Peace." The speaker did in two sentences in the speech say our first duty was to prosecute the War and obtain a clean peace. I do not think those two sentences make the speech one which comes within the Regulations.

Mr. LEES-SMITH

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that men are imprisoned now for single sentences in long articles, and why is the law not enforced against the Liberal party or the Liberal Publication Department?

Sir G. CAVE

The law is enforced against everybody alike.