§ Mr. THURTLE (for Mr. LANSBURY)asked the Home Secretary how many persons are at present detained in 1212 prison convicted of offences committed during the general strike or during the miners' stoppage; the length of sentence each prisoner has yet to serve; the names of the prisoners and the prisons in which they are imprisoned; and whether he will consider the advisability of reviewing these sentences with a view to recommending His Majesty to exercise his prerogative of mercy in these cases?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSEleven; namely, 10 in Maidstone, whose earliest dates for release upon licence are July, 1929, April, 1930, January, 1931, and July, 1932, and one in Portland Borstal Institution, the date of whose release upon licence depends upon his general conduct and progress in the institution. It would not be right to give all the names. I regret that I could not consistently with my public duty advise interference with any of the sentences passed by the Courts in these cases.
§ Mr. SHINWELLHaving regard to the desire of the Government for peace in industry, would it not be advisable to review these sentences?
§ Mr. THURTLEDoes not the Home Secretary think that now that the coal dispute has become a memory it is time for reconsideration of these cases and the exercise of clemency?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe hon. Gentleman must realise that these were not ordinary cases connected with a trade dispute. Most of these men were concerned in attempts to wreck trains, which might have involved the loss of life and injury to limb. It is a much more serious thing than the ordinary interference with a trade dispute.
§ Mr. HARDIEIn view of the fact that the Home Secretary allowed people in high places to get off, although they had broken the Regulations, will he not deal sympathetically with these cases?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs it not possible for the Home Secretary to reconsider the whole matter? He is up against the miners in Northumberland. There was no loss of life, and a number of these men have as many as five dependants.