§ 20. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Leslie Kent, No. 3,576, a con- 478 scientious objector in Wormwood Scrubs Prison, is hunger-striking; for how long has he been doing this; whether he is being forcibly fed; and what is his present condition of health?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir George Cave)This prisoner refused food and was artificially fed for a short time. He is now taking food voluntarily and is in good health.
§ 21. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Home Secretary if he will have immediate inquiry made into the conditions under which men employed under the Home Office scheme on gravel work by the Rickmansworth Gravel Company are housed; whether eight men have to sleep in a stable-loft which is damp and filthy; and if steps will be taken at once to provide more reasonable accommodation?
§ Sir G. CAVEI find on inquiry that a week ago the inspector reported that the loft in which the men sleep showed signs of dampness, and in accordance with his recommendation the Committee on Employment of Conscientious Objectors at once gave orders for a coal stove to be fitted in place of the existing oil stove. The inspector found the loft clean when he inspected it, and the men themselves are responsible for keeping it so. I am satisfied that the accommodation is adequate.
§ 22. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Home Secretary whether the concession in regard to the modification of prison treatment recently made to conscientious objectors with over twelve months' imprisonment have been granted to the conscientious objectors who were sentenced to death in France and whose sentence was afterwards commuted to ten years' penal servitude; whether seven or eight of these men are now in Maid-stone Prison and no relaxation of the rules has been made in their cases; and whether he will take steps to see that they receive the benefit of the concession?
§ Sir G. CAVEThere are practical difficulties in the way of allowing to men under sentence of penal servitude the advantages which can be given under Rule 243 A to men under sentence of imprisonment, but I will consider the matter further.
§ Mr. SNOWDENIn considering the matter rill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it was under a misunder- 479 standing that these men were sent to France and the sentences were given in France, and had it not been for the accident or mistake of the War Office they would have been tried in this country?
§ Sir G. CAVEAmong the inquiries which I am making is an inquiry into the exact nature of the offence.
§ 23. Mr. SNOWDENasked what is the condition of the health of Isaac Hall-worth, a conscientious objector, now serving his third sentence, and who is at present confined in Pentonville Prison?
§ Sir G. CAVEI have made inquiry with regard to this prisoner's health, and find that since his admission to hospital, three weeks ago, he has improved, and is now quite well.
§ 24. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Home Secretary if he has had representations made to him by the St. Helen's Trades Council about the state of health of George Foster Smith, a conscientious objector, now in Shrewsbury Gaol; if this prisoner has been certified by the prison medical officer as suffering from heart disease; and, in view of the present state of his health, will he order his release?
§ Sir G. CAVEI have received the representations referred to, and, in view of a special medical report which I have just received, I have decided to recommend the prisoner's release from prison.