§ 47. Lieut.-Colonel Sir S. HOAREasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that a boy of 16, having been for six weeks in Winchester Prison without trial, committed suicide; whether there is a girl in the same prison who has been detained for six months without trial; and whether he will at once inquire whether there are similar cases of delay in trying prisoners in other prisons, with a view to expediting the course of justice and avoiding these scandals?
§ Mr. SHORTTWith regard to the boy of 16 who committed suicide in Winchester Prison, I would refer the hon. and gallant Baronet to the answer I gave to a question in this House on the 16th instant. On inquiry I find that the Justices refused to allow him to be released on bail pending his trial, on account of the statements he had made as to what he would do if lie were so released. I have no knowledge 2342 of any prisoner who has been in custody as long as six months without trial, but there is a young woman of 21 who was committed on a charge of arson on the 26th of last month for trial at the Assizes, which will not be held till the middle of October, and I am now inquiring whether anything can be done to prevent such a long period of detention in prison before trial.
§ Sir S. HOAREWould the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question, as to whether there are other cases of this kind in other prisons?
§ Mr. SHORTTI have not been able to hear of any.
§ Sir S. HOAREWill the right hon. Gentleman make inquiry, and send a circular to all the prisons to find out whether that is the case or not?
§ Mr. FRANCEWas there any medical inquiry into the state of this lad's mental health, in view of the wild statements that he made?
§ Mr. SHORTTI am afraid I must ask for notice of that question.
§ Earl WINTERTONIn view of the very serious scandals disclosed in the right hon. Gentleman's own answer, does he propose to take any steps to find out if a similar state of affairs exists in other prisons?
§ Mr. SHORTTI am constantly in touch with the magistrates all over the country, circularising them in regard to bail, which is really the point at issue.
§ Earl WINTERTONDoes not the right hon. Gentleman admit his responsibility for the fact that these people have been there without trial all these months?
§ Mr. SHORTTNo, Sir. I am not responsible at all. All I can do is to advise; I cannot enforce.
§ Sir S. HOAREWill the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries at the prisons as to whether there are cases of this kind?
§ Mr. SHORTTYes, Sir. We have been making inquiries, and, as I have said, I cannot hear of any.
§ Mr. DEVLINHow many people are there in Ireland kept for months and months without trial, and there is none of this indignation at all?
§ Lord R. CECILWill the right hon. Gentleman consider whether some legislation is not desirable in order to put a stop to these scandals?
§ Mr. SHORTTWe are considering that.
§ Mr. DEVLINWill the Irish Office also consider it?
§ Mr. WATERSONIs there any possibility of such legislation being passed this Session, there being no contention in this House on the matter?