§ Mr. MAXTONasked the Home Secretary how many persons have been imprisoned on account of charges of inciting to mutiny in the Navy or Army or on similar seditious charges; and whether, if they are not being treated as political offenders, he will take steps to arrange for such treatment?
§ Sir H. SAMUELI presume the hon. Member has in mind the question whether there are any prisoners who, under Section 40 of the Prison Act, 1877, and Section 6 of the Prison Act, 1898, are entitled to treatment as offenders of the First Division. The only prisoners so entitled are those under sentences inflicted for sedition or seditious libel and, so far as I can ascertain, there is no prisoner under such sentence. There are five under sentence for incitement to mutiny. Parliament in the enactments referred to has definitely laid down the procedure for the classification of prisoners, and I could not authorise a departure in these cases.