§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the circumstances under which Miss Norah Lackey, a suffragette prisoner at Birmingham, was forcibly fed for three weeks, was kept in irons for twenty-four hours, and is kept apart from her fellow 926W prisoners; and whether the circumstances will receive impartial investigation?
§ Mr. McKENNANorah Lackey refused to take her food on 31st March, and on 2nd April it was found necessary to feed her by tube. On the 3rd April she took food voluntarily; on the 4th she again refused and from that day until the 15th she was artificially fed, but she made no resistance. On the 14th she destroyed some of her cell furniture and bedding, and she was restrained for twenty-four hours in handcuffs to prevent her doing further damage. On the following day she was brought before a member of the Visiting Committee, who investigated the circumstances and ordered her to forfeit marks, and to pay for the damage out of her gratuity, if any. On the 16th she again refused her food, but on the 18th she resumed taking her food voluntarily and continued doing so until May 7th. On that day she was disturbing the quiet of the hospital by shouting to another prisoner. An infant child was seriously ill in the hospital, and as she would not desist when told that she was disturbing the child, her door was shut. She then again destroyed some of her furniture and refused her food. She has, however, now resumed eating. Like other prisoners in the hospital, she is necessarily kept apart from those who are not hospital patients.
§ Mr. NIELDasked the Secretary of State-for the Home Department what is the reason for differentiating between the treatment accorded to Mrs. Gatty, now a prisoner in Holloway Prison under sentence from the London Sessions, and that of other suffragists sentenced to hard labour at the same Sessions, by depriving her of letters, visitors, and a supply of food from outside the prison, which has been permitted in the case of other suffragist prisoners; under what conditions suffragette prisoners are or have been permitted to receive letters and visitors as well as a supply of food from outside the prison, and whether they are subject to general application or only to individual cases; and, if so, will he explain why this course has been adopted?
§ Mr. McKENNASome of the privileges under Rule 243A (such as receiving letters and visits) are dependent upon the earning of marks for industry and good conduct under the Progressive Stage system. Mrs. Gatty has refused to do any work, and she is thus depriving herself of the privileges which are free to her if she chooses to conform to the Regulations.