HC Deb 25 May 1927 vol 206 cc2000-1
37. Mr. BECKETT

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons, if any, are still in prison for offences directly or indirectly connected with the mines stoppage of 1926; and the names, addresses, charges upon which imprisoned, and the date of release of any such persons?

Captain HACKING

I could not give the numbers and the dates at such short notice, and I could not properly undertake to give the names and addresses. I could only give the offences for which given numbers were sentenced. If the hon. Member will put down a question as to numbers, dates and offences, I will have the information collected and supplied.

Mr. BECKETT

As the Home Secretary a few weeks ago in this House said that there were ten people similarly imprisoned, is it not possible, in view of that statement, to let us have the names of those ten people?

Captain HACKING

If the hon. Member himself had been imprisoned, I do not think he would care to have his name divulged in that way.

Mr. BECKETT

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that those men have already had very wide publicity through the prosecution, and there can be no objection to their friends knowing where they are?

Captain HACKING

Their friends probably do know where they are.

Mr. BATEY

There is no stigma attached to these men being imprisoned for offences during that stoppage.

Captain HACKING

The hon. Member is in a better position to judge of that than I am, but I imagined there was.

38. Mr. BECKETT

asked the Home Secretary the total number of persons arrested under the Emergency Powers Act Regulations and the ordinary law, respectively, since 1st May, 1926; how many of these were sentenced and the aggregate number of years; how many fined and the total amount of the fines; how many were bound over; how many are still undergoing imprisonment; and when those still in prison are due for discharge?

Captain HACKING

As the particulars asked for in the first four parts of the question are numerous and difficult to set

PROCEEDINGS instituted for Offences committed between 1st May, 1926, and 19th December, 1926, in connection with the General Strike and Coal Dispute.
— Under Ordinary Law Under Emergency Regulations.
TOTAL NUMBER of Persons Prosecuted 4,656 3,304
Sentenced to Imprisonment:—
14 days and under 31 80
1 month and over 14 days 139 234
2 months and over 1 month 132 191
3 months and over 2 months 87 139
6 months and over 3 months 69 —
Over 6 months 7 —
— —
Total 465 644
Sentenced to Penal Servitude:—
4 years 3
5 years 2
6 years 2
8 years 3
—
Total 10
Fined 2,197 1,284
Total Amount of Fines £3,166 9s. 0d. £6,723 4s. 6d.
Discharged, or bound over, under the Probation of Offenders Act. 611 456
Bound Over otherwise 482 297