§ 33. Sir CHARLES CAYZERasked the Home Secretary how many of the ringleaders of the Dartmoor mutiny, who are to be tried for their part in the disturbances, have at any time been inmates of the Borstal institution?
§ Sir H. SAMUELI should have been glad to have given the hon. Member the information for which he asks if it were not for the rule that no public reference should be made to the antecedents of persons against whom legal proceedings are pending. If the hon. Member will repeat his question when the legal proceedings are over, the information can be given.
§ 37. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Home Secretary whether he can inform the House if the 30 convicts at Dartmoor, recently tried before the visiting magistrates, had any skilled assistance in preparing their defence; whether an independent shorthand note was taken of the proceedings; and whether he will lay the record of the trial before Parliament before confirming any recommendation that the visiting magistrates may have made with regard to punishment?
§ Sir H. SAMUELThe convicts in question were charged before the board of visitors of the prison with offences against prison discipline and the procedure followed was that prescribed by the statutory rules. These rules provide that a prisoner shall not be punished until he has had an opportunity of hearing the charges and evidence against him and of making his defence. There is no provision for enabling prisoners charged with prison offences to have legal assistance, and such a provision would not be compatible with the procedure necessary for maintaining discipline in prisons. The rules prescribe the nature and limits of the punishments which the board of visitors may order, and give the board power to order such punishments without the need of any confirmation except in cases where corporal punishment is ordered. As in this instance no corporal punishment has been ordered by the board, no question arises of confirmation of their orders, and effect was given to them forthwith.