§ 19. Mr. RENDALLasked the Home Secretary whether the Order allowing conscientious objectors in prison their own books subject to the approval of the governor of the prison is, in fact, not being carried out by certain governors; whether the governor of the Newcastle Prison recently told one prisoner to whom his wife had sent books which were held back that it would he Easter or Whitsuntide before he, the governor, had time to look through them; and, if this governor's time or literary capacity is so limited, can he arrange for a substitute to undertake the duty of approving literature given to the prisoners?
§ Sir G. CAVEI have been unable to discover any foundation whatever for the allegations made. In one case at Newcastle Prison two of the books sent in to a prisoner by his wife were not delivered to him till three weeks after they were received, but this was by his own request, because he preferred the books supplied 1136 from the prison library. Other books supplied by prisoners' friends for their benefit have been delivered without delay.
§ 20. Mr. KINGasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the condition of a conscientious objector, Joseph C. S. Elliott, in Liverpool Prison; whether he is aware that Elliott has lost 4 stone in weight while in prison, and that the governor of the Liverpool Prison has refused to allow him the relaxation recently ordered for conscientious objectors; whether, being declared unfit for punishment, he is in hospital; and whether immediate steps will be taken to prevent a fatal termination of his imprisonment?
§ Sir G. CAVEInquiry is being made in this case, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result.