§ 60. Mr. BUCHANANasked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the sentences recently passed on George Allison, three years' penal servitude, Frank Paterson, two years' hard labour, and William Shepherd, 20 months' hard labour, for alleged sedition; and if he will take an early opportunity of reviewing the sentences and recommending a curtailment of the period of imprisonment?
§ Sir H. SAMUELThe sentences were imposed under the Incitement to Mutiny Act. It is open to the men to apply to the Court of Criminal Appeal for leave to appeal against their sentences, but they have not done so. I can find no 1862 ground on which I should be justified in advising any interference with the sentence.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIn view of the youth of these men, and, further, in view of the fact that the crime which they committed is one of which his own chief was partly guilty in 1917, will the Home Secretary reconsider the whole sentence?
§ Sir H. SAMUELI cannot admit the last suggestion of the hon. Member. As to the circumstances of the offence, it must be remembered that it was an exceedingly grave offence.
§ Mr. MAXTONIs it sound national policy to imprison political offenders in this way?
§ Sir H. SAMUELI cannot admit that these men were political offenders.
§ Mr. BUCHANANWill the right hon. Gentleman again inquire into not only the question of the sentence, but also the question as to how the evidence was procured, and see whether there is not some mitigating fact? Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Prime Minister himself formed the Soldiers and Sailors Council during the War?
§ Sir H. SAMUELThis is not a question of a soldiers and sailors council. These were deliberate attempts of incitement to mutiny, and if there is any doubt as to the justice of the sentence, those concerned could have had recourse to the Court of Criminal Appeal.