HC Deb 16 December 1948 vol 459 cc1358-9
8. Mrs. Ridealgh

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will reconsider the decision made on 10th December in respect of the case of which the hon. Member for North Ilford has already written to him; and whether, in view of the suffering caused to the mother involved, of the likelihood that the father's conduct will qualify him for leave in January under the Special Grade, and of the fact that the time before the birth is expected to take place is short, he will grant a two hours' parole, so that the young people may get married.

Mr. Ede

I have carefully reconsidered this case but I should not feel justified in making an exceptional grant of parole in this case. I regret, therefore, that I cannot alter the decision which was conveyed to my hon. Friend in my letter of 10th December last.

Mrs. Ridealgh

Will the Home Secretary take into consideration that this young man gave 4½ years' faithful naval service in foreign waters and was wounded during the course of it, and that it was only panic at the realisation that he had wronged his fiancee which made him commit the crime for which he is now suffering punishment? Is the Home Secretary aware that the doctor is gravely disturbed at the anxiety this young mother is suffering that her baby will be born without its father's name and is exceedingly concerned about the effects the delivery of the child will have upon the mother? Will he remember that this is Christmas and that the spirit of Christmas is in the birth of a child?

Mr. Ede

I have given the very utmost attention to this case and I have desired to make the concession for which the hon. Lady asks, but I am bound to point out to the House that this is no exceptional application. I have from time to time to deal with a succession of these cases. Under the law as it stands, the subsequent marriage of the parents legitimises the child.

Mr. George Thomas

Will my right hon. Friend explain how he is prevented from making this normally decent gesture, which would in no way hurt the penal service of which he is the head?

Mr. Ede

I am convinced that if I made the concession in this case, I should have to make it in every case of this kind—[HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"]—and that would involve such an interference with the rules about the grant of leave in the institutions, that I am certain prison discipline would be interfered with.

Mrs. Ridealgh

Would not a little kindness to a first offender have a much greater effect than harsh treatment of this description? Will not the Home Secretary temper justice with mercy?

Mr. Ede

I regret that, in the interests of the discipline of the service, I cannot reach any other conclusion than the one I have reached.

Mr. Teeling

Is there any reason why the couple should not get married in the prison?

Mr. Ede

No application in that respect has been made. I do not think they could be married in the Borstal institution. Only this morning I was considering whether it would be possible to make the offer that they could be married in the parish church or other suitable place near the institution. I am considering whether that will be possible, but I must be adamant on the point that I cannot allow special leave for this youth to go home.

Mrs. Ridealgh

I asked the Home Secretary whether he would permit the marriage within the institution. The Governor was willing to allow his house for that purpose.

Mr. Ede

The Governor's house, of course, is not a registered place where a legal marriage can take place.