§ 5. Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the total estimated cost to Her Majesty's Government of the imprisonment of those persons who recently engaged in civil disobedience activities at Foulness.
§ Mr. VosperAbout £1,000.
§ Mr. PavittIs not this an unnecessary burden on the taxpayers, caused by severe sentences which are disproportionate to the offence? Could not the Home Secretary intervene to ensure less rigorous action against those who feel so deeply about nuclear annihilation that they engage in non-violent disobedience?
§ Mr. VosperMy right hon. Friend replied to a Question by the hon. Member for Gloucestershire, West (Mr. Loughlin) on the principle of this on 12th May, and I would not want to add to that reply—
§ Mr. PavittWhy not?
§ Mr. Vosper—but the people concerned were first inflicted with a penalty which they chose not to accept, and the choice of imprisonment was the consequence of their refusal.