§ Viscountess ASTORasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Annie Allen, who was charged with drunkenness at the Kennington Road Police Station on 25th February, and who was later found to be suffering from the effects of corrosive poison; whether Inspector Edmunds, who visited the woman in her cell, was a male police officer; if so, why was the duty not performed by a woman; and whether the prisoner was sent in charge of a woman to the infirmary, where she subsequently died?
§ Mr. SHORTTI have made inquiry and understand that during the whole time this woman was in the police cell the police matron sat with her. Frequent visits were made by the responsible officer on duty at the station as there was suspicion that she had taken poison. When she was conveyed to the infirmary the matron accompanied her.