§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the death of Maud Moore in the cells at West Ham Police Court and the subsequent attempted suicide of Margaret Swain in the West Hampstead Police Court, he will now grant permission to the women justices of the peace of London to inspect the cells attached to the Metropolitan Police Courts and to inquire into the conditions under which women are detained there?
§ Sir J. BAIRDBoth these women were detained in cells at police stations and not police courts. In each case the facts were fully investigated by the coroner and no blame whatever attached to the police, nor was any fault found with the conditions of detention. As regards cells in which female prisoners are detained, my right hon. Friend is prepared to consider any application that may be made for permission to inspect them by women who are interested in such matters whether they are Justices or not.