§ 26. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Home Secretary if he still considers forcible feeding to be a necessary medical measure to be applied only for the purpose of preventing self-imposed starvation; whether he is aware that after men have been forcibly fed for a few days it has been found necessary to release them temporarily on health grounds; and whether this indicates the uselessness of forcible feeding for any purpose other than punishment?
§ Mr. SHORTTForcible feeding is used only as a necessary medical measure to prevent death by self-imposed starvation. In some cases prisoners have been released if on account of their state of health or for any other reason it was difficult to continue the forcible feeding. In no case and in no circumstances has forcible feeding been used at a punishment.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWas not the "Cat-and-Mouse" Act passed to avoid forcible feeding, and why is it not being used for this purpose instead of after it has been used?