§ 17. Mr. KINGasked the Home Secretary whether he has now reconsidered the case of M. L. and her treatment in Holloway Prison on 24th May; whether she was placed in the padded cell by medical orders or by the female warders without medical authority; at what hour in the night did the acute mania show itself, and at what hour was she first seen by the medical officer; where is this woman at present; what are the names or the doctors and magistrates who certified her; on what day was she taken to Goodmayes; and on what date was she legally certified as insane?
§ Sir G. CAVEThe prisoner was Been by the medical officer on her reception in Holloway Prison on the 24th May. He found her in an agitated and restless condition, and sent her at once to the observation ward in the remand hospital. About 2.15 on the morning of the 25th she was moved by his directions to the padded cell, in order to prevent her doing herself an injury. On the 29th May she was brought before the justices, and by their order was handed over to the charge of the relieving officer and taken to the workhouse infirmary. She thus passed from the purview of my Department, but I understand she was afterwards certified under the Lunacy Act, 1890, in the usual way, and was taken to the asylum on 31st May.
§ 18. Mr. KINGasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Theodolinda Paster, now in Holloway Prison, sent a petition three months ago for reconsideration of her case, but has received no reply; that on 3rd May she was visited by two Home Office officials; and that she has been promised either release or better conditions, neither of which have been accorded to her; whether he is aware that this young woman has now been interned three years on mere suspicion because she was returning to Greece from Germany, whither she had gone to obtain a legacy, and is devoted to sick nursing; and whether he will now allow her, under strict conditions of supervision, to take up nursing in some institution?
§ Sir G. CAVEThe main request in this woman's petition, namely, that her case should be further inquired into, and that someone should be sent to see her, was complied with. She was visited by two officers of the Intelligence Department—not by two Home Office officials—and their report was duly considered. No promise of any sort was made to her. As regards the rest of the question, I would refer to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme on the 3rd instant. For the reasons given in that reply, I am not prepared to release this woman.
§ Mr. KINGIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this is a very spirited young lady, that she is only too anxious to serve humanity, and will he not give her a chance of doing something for the country with which she is unfortunately at present bound to associate?
§ Sir G. CAVEAll that may or may not be true, but she is also in close connection with Germany.
§ Mr. KINGAs she has been interned for three years, how can she possibly be in close connection with Germany?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is now arguing.