§ Mr. SNOWDENasked in what division the women committed to prison in connection with the suffrage demonstration of the 18th ultimo have been placed; and are they treated as political or ordinary prisoners?
§ Mr. GLADSTONE:These persons are being treated in the second division, as prescribed by Statute in the case of per- 1721W sons committed in default of finding sureties. The Act makes no distinction between the different persons who may be placed in the second division.
§ Mr. BYLESasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that doubts have been cast on the police evidence upon which some ladies were convicted for obstructing the police outside the House of Commons on the evening of the 18th February; that it was admitted by witnesses on both sides that Mrs. Despard, Miss FitzHerbert, and Miss Sidley used no violence or force whatever; and, if they were guilty only of a technical offence in carrying on a political agitation, can he see his way to reduce their sentence or modify their disciplinary treatment?
§ Mr. GLADSTONE:I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for West Donegal, to which I have nothing to add.
§ Mr. BYLESasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received representations that Mrs. Duval and Miss Seruya, who were convicted at the Westminster Police Court for obstructing the police on the night of 18th February, were the victims of mistaken and wrongful arrest, and that these ladies, supported by three respectable eyewitnesses, emphatically deny that they obstructed the police or pushed any constable; and will he satisfy himself by adequate inquiry that legal injustice is not being committed by keeping these ladies in gaol.
§ Mr. GLADSTONE:I have made inquiry of the Magistrate, and am informed that 1722W the evidence given in the case of these ladies clearly proved the charge brought against them of obstructing the police in the execution of their duty.