§ 60. Mr. McGOVERNasked the Home Secretary the reason for refusing permission to Lieutenant Baillie Stewart to have the hon. Member for Shettleston as an ordinary visitor at Maidstone Prison on his official visiting day; if the Governor's refusal was dictated by the Home Office after consultation; and if no Member of Parliament will be permitted to visit this prisoner as an ordinary visitor on the day he is due to have a visit?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe hon. Member informed me that he wished to visit this prisoner with the object of investigating the question whether he had been rightly convicted. The purpose for which visits to convicted prisoners are allowed by the Prison Rules is to enable them to keep in touch with their friends and relations. Visits could not properly be allowed to facilitate informal and unofficial investigations of cases which have been determined after judicial inquiry by a legal tribunal. Visits by Members of Parliament stand on a similar footing to other 870 visits: in all cases regard must be had to the object for which the visit is sought.
§ Mr. McGOVERNIf further representations are desired by this prisoner will he be allowed to have a visit from an agent?
§ Sir J. GILMOURAny request of that kind will have to be considered.
§ Mr. ANSTRUTHER-GRAYMay I ask if the prisoner invited the hon. Member for Shettleston (Mr. McGovern) to visit him?
§ Mr. McGOVERNYes.
§ Mr. BUCHANANWhy should he not do so?