Sylvia Wright (Imprisonment) (Hansard, 2 November 1987)

§ Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 20, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely, the case of Sylvia Wright, a constituent of mine who is 56 years of age and severely disabled, and who was thrown into gaol last week because she failed to pay a £110 fine, at a time when strenuous efforts were being made in the House by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Prime Minister to underwrite the underwriters so that they would not go to gaol. This case is another classic example of there being one law for the rich and another for the poor.

A few years ago, Sylvia Wright suffered from breast cancer and had to have a breast removed. She receives the pension for the severely disabled of £37 a week. She has never appeared before a court previously and has never had a police record. She had no representation when she went to the Derbyshire magistrates court, with the result that those heartless people threw her into New Hall prison in Wakefield for 30 days. Since then I have been constantly in touch with the Home Office to try to secure her release—[Interruption.] It is high time that those Tory Members who are baying showed a little compassion for this woman who, when she is at home, spends most of her time looking after two handicapped boys. She does not have a husband to look after her. I want her back in her home at 48 Byron street so that she can carry out that job.

The whole case stinks. We have recently seen examples of those in high places being able to get away with transgressions of the law. When Mr. Keith Best, a former Conservative Member, was put in gaol for about 48 hours, every Tory Member was squealing to high heaven, with the result that they got the Lord Chief Justice to release him. It is high time that people such as Sylvia Wright received the same treatment. Many City spivs somehow manage to escape gaol. Mark Phillips received only a token fine; he did not go to gaol or lose his licence. There is one law for the rich and one for the poor.

I want a debate on this matter to replace this afternoon's debate on a Bill which attacks people in poverty. This issue concerns a more important subject. Sylvia Wright should be released from prison.