§ Mr. GROVESasked the Home Secretary whether, in reference to the case of Mr. Alfred Edward Carr, of 1, Burbidge's Yard, Upper Broad Street, Trowbridge, Wilts, who, as the right hon. Gentleman admitted in a letter dated 20th March, 1934, was wrongfully classified when imprisoned in Horfield Gaol, Bristol, and not classed as a first-class misdemeanant as required by the law relating to parents sent to prison in default of payment of a vaccination fine, he has considered offering Mr. Carr some compensation for his treatment; and what action he proposes to take towards the persons concerned who were responsible for the mistake?
§ Sir J. GILMOURAs I explained to the hon. Member in the letter to which he refers, Mr. Carr was received in prison on a Saturday afternoon and, as the warrant of commitment contained no direction that he should be treated as an offender of the first division, he was for the time being classified as an ordinary prisoner: but the position was rectified after communication with the court on the Monday morning: and the only practical effect of the delay was that Mr. Carr was exercised on the Sunday with other prisoners. The prison authorities have expressed their regret for the error, and the incident does not appear to call for any further action on my part, or to justify any payment to Mr. Carr.