§ 35. Mr. Liptonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the forcible feeding of Alfred George Hinds, a prisoner at Pentonville.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerHinds refused all food after his return to Pentonville on Tuesday, 25th June. He was placed under medical observation and on 1st July the prison medical officer decided that Hinds should be fed by tube. The prisoner did not resist and two more meals of this type have since been administered without incident.
§ Mr. LiptonIs the Home Secretary aware that the public is beginning to get a bit uneasy about this case—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Is he aware that the public is a little bit uneasy about the case despite the jeers of hon. Gentlemen opposite? Will the Home Secretary, in the exceptional circumstances, have some further investigation made into the reason this man is apparently willing to starve to death rather than accept the justice of the verdict that has been imposed upon him?
§ Mr. ButlerIt so happens that I personally have not had an opportunity of considering this case in detail. If there is any fresh aspect of it which any hon. Member or any other person wishes me to consider, naturally I will do so.