§ Sir KINGSLEY WOOD (by Private Notice)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Captain C. H. Attfield has been in solitary confinement in prison since 30th July without being brought to trial, whether the criminal proceedings against him have been abandoned, and whether any steps are being taken to bring him to speedy trial or to release him, on reasonable bail being furnished?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Rhys Davies)C. H. Attfield has been held in prison since 1st August under a Writ of Capias issued out of the High Court in connection with Customs proceedings for penalties of about £26,000. He had been in custody since 24th July in connection with Customs proceedings in the police court, which were abandoned on 1st August, and other summonses obtained by the police stand adjourned sine die since 15th August. Attfield is being treated in the same way as a prisoner awaiting trial. The Customs applied for a hearing during the Vacation, but the Vacation Judge made no order. The hearing is now fixed for 14th instant. The question of bail is entirely for the Court.
§ Sir K. WOODIs the hon. Gentleman aware that when the application was made for bail for this man at the instance of the Attorney-General, the Judge said he was helpless in the matter owing to the lateness of the application; and is it not also the fact that the Attorney-General authorised criminal proceedings in this case, then abandoned them and then started civil proceedings, and that this man has remained waiting for trial since 30th July?
§ Mr. DAVIESI am afraid all the supplementary questions which have been put to me are questions which should be addressed to another Department. I was dealing entirely with the question originally raised by my hon. Friend.
§ Captain BERKELEYIs it correct to suggest that the prisoner has been in solitary confinement?
§ Mr. DAVIESNo, that is not correct. In fact he has been located in a cell, but has been allowed out for exercise, chapel and so on. He can also receive visitors and have all facilities for preparing his defence.
§ Captain BERKELEYIs that not rather as though he were awaiting execution?
§ Sir K. WOODIs it a fact that there are at the present time only civil proceedings against this man, and that he has been kept in prison in the circumstances mentioned by the hon. Gentleman since 30th July, and owing to the action of the authorities has not yet been brought to trial?
§ Mr. DAVIESI have already dealt with that point fully in the answer I gave.
§ Mr. AYLESHow many hours a day does this man spend in what is really solitary confinement; how many hours are actually spent in exercise, and how many times a week does he go to chapel?