HC Deb 19 November 1936 vol 317 c1898
35. Mr. SHINWELL

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, on the occasion of the Coronation, it is proposed to provide for a remission of terms of imprisonment for all or any class of inmates of His Majesty's prisons?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Simon)

No, Sir. As I explained in answer to a similar Question last Session, there is a regular system by which prisoners earn remission by good conduct and industry, and proposals involving special clemency to persons who happen to be serving sentences of imprisonment on a particular date are open to obvious objection.

Mr. SHINWELL

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think this is a suitable occasion on which to display a little more clemency?