§ 3. Mr. Haleasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give instructions that persons serving sentences or on remand shall be permitted to write letters to their Members of Parliament addressed to the House of Commons without such letters being submitted for inspection.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeThe conditions under which prisoners may write to Members of Parliament were announced to the House by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for South Shields (Mr. Ede), when he was Home Secretary. They were accepted by the House, and experience has not hitherto suggested the need for any significant change.
§ Mr. HaleIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this privilege existed in the time of Lord Sidmouth, and that very often prisoners wish to write to their Members about purely family circumstances or difficulties that have risen outside the prison, on which they are not anxious to take anyone else into their confidence?
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeI do not know that up to date there is any reason for any material change in the conditions laid down at the time by the right hon. Gentleman, but I am always prepared to look at anything that may be of use.
§ Mr. EdeWill the right hon. and gallant Gentleman take notice that I have no responsibility for Lord Sidmouth?