§ 64. Mr. T. RICHARDSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the illtreatment of a number of conscientious objectors known as Seventh Day Adventists, also a number of serving soldiers while confined to No. 3 Military Prison, La Larvre; and whether any inquiry has been made into the allegations, or is it proposed to institute an inquiry?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to a similar question which he asked on the 28th May.
§ 80. Mr. T. RICHARDSONasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Harry Burgess, a conscientious objector, was sentenced to his first term of imprisonment in August, 1916; that he, subsequently, was transferred to a work settlement; that he was afterwards recalled and sent to prison; that he has since broken down mentally and is now in an asylum; and if he will say whether his present condition is a result of the treatment he has received while in prison?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Brace)These facts are as stated in the question except that Burgess has recently been discharged from the asylum. There is no reason for thinking that his insanity was in any way attributable to the treatment he received in prison.
§ 81. Mr. T. RICHARDSONasked the Home Secretary whether an inquiry was held in Hull Prison on or about 6th April, 1918, into the death of E. W. Burns, who died on 13th March; whether the Report is to be made public; who conducted the inquiry; what action has been taken on the Report; how many prisoners gave evidence; if any were legally represented; if they were indemnified or protected should their evidence be against the staff; if the evidence was taken down; if it can be made public; and how many of the staff gave evidence?
§ Mr. BRACEThe inquiry in question was made by the hon. Member for the Universities of Edinburgh and St. Andrews, and by Dr. Maurice Craig, 1853 F.R.C.P. The result of the inquiry was fully stated by the Home Secretary in reply to a question in this House on 15th March last. To what he said I need only add that it is not proposed to publish the evidence, but that evidence was given by the governor, the medical officer and three other officers of the prison, and by three prisoners who asked to be examined. The prisoners, who were all conscientious objectors, were given an opportunity of making their statements privately to the Commissioners— the governor and all prison officials withdrawing at the governor's suggestion.