FORCIBLE FEEDING DROPPED.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14668, 17 May 1913, Page 11

FORCIBLE FEEDING DROPPED.

NEW BILL FOR HUNGER-

STRIKERS,

MR McKEXNA'3 PLAN. (prom our own correspondent.) LONDOX", April 4. Tho Hunger Strike Bill, officially described as the Prisoners' (Temporary Discharge for 111-health) Bill, has been discussed in the House of Commons and read a second time. Mrs Pankhurst not inaptly calls it the Cat and Mouse Bill. Mr McKenna proposes to release the hunger strikers on license so soon as they aro in danger of total collapse, and re-arrest them on recovery, and by repeating tho process as often as necessary, compel them to servo tho full term of their sentence in prison. Tho discussion on tho Bill did not proceed on party lines. It is accepted by more than one Unionist momber. Tho chief opponents, in attacking tho measure, were often rather eager to indulge in polemics on tho whole question of women's suffrage, and the Speaker had j to exerciso a guiding hand in confining the debate to tho issues before the House. Mr McKenna, in moving tho second reading, said publicity was the keyfioto or tho suffragette propaganda, diid it was as part of that publicity that they had adopted the hunger strike. They shocked the public by the violence of their outrages, and then attempted to eulist_ sympathy by the tales of their sufferings. In executing their purpose they seemed to be as neglectful of the accuracy of their statements as they were regardless of law and order. Ho iad been charged with want of courage because he did not risk letting hunger strikers starve, but ho could not see what evidence of courage there was in taking a risk at the expense of another person's life. Ho admitted that forcible feeding was a most objectionable practice, but at present if he released one of these prisoners it meant a remission of the sentence; under the Bill he could do that without remission. The Home Secretary said he desired to be able to employ feeding where necessary, but it was not his intention to use that power in the case of ordinary prisoners sentenced for windowbreaking and obstruction. It would only bo employed after repeated offences where there was danger to tho public if the prisoner was released. \\ hero a hunger striker was released on lieenso crrtain conditions would be attached to it, and the prisoner would not be liable to re-arrest til! the expiry of tho time specified; even then the prisoner might apply for an extension of it. and if her conduct had been good in tho meantime there miglit even bo j a remission of the sentence. If she did

not comply with the conditions of tho licence, she would be liable to immediate re-arrcst. Mr McCurdy, tho Liberal M.P. for Xorthanipton, opposed the "Bill on the ground that it was an attack on the liberty of tho subject, and gave, tho Home Secretary power to extend tho terms of imprisonment imposed on certain persons without reference to Judge or jury. Mr Keir Hardio moved as an amendment: "That tho House decline to proceed with any measure of strengthening tho law agiiiast hunger strikers convicted of offences connected with tho agitation for the enfranchisement of women until the Prime Minister redeemed his pledge that the Government would make itself responsible for the, further progress of any woman's suffrage measure which passed its second reading by a free vote of the House of Commons. ,, This was seconded by a Labour M.P., Mr Richardson. Mr L. L. Athorloy-Jonos (Liberal) believed that this Bill would prove absolutely futile, but quite apart from the suffragist question, he objected to it as being wholly opposed to the genesis of criminal administration in this country. It was an entirely new departure. Lord Robert Cecil (Conservative) agreed that the present law required strengthening. Ho agreed that they could not go on under conditions which allowed a prisoner to put an end to his or her sentence at will; and he agreed, also, that the offences of these women werr» very serious. Jt was really and truly anarchism. Several Liberal members: What's your remedy? Lord "Robert : "Deportation. Liberal members: Where? If the TTomo Secretary will resign and tlio Prime Minister will appoint me in his place— (lnughtor) —l shall \x> very pint! to introduce a Bill expressing exactly my views. Mr Pringlo: What if they hnngerstriko on tho voyrxre? (Laughter.^ The Spanker: The Houso had better wait until the noble Lord brings in his Bill (LaueMer.) Lord Robert:. I think thnt would bo more convenient, at any rate. Hβ wont on to say that ho hnt\ received n number of letters from suffragettes, and ono of thorn ended up with an objurgntion which lie hardly liked to repeat. It was that ho was just as bad as MeKonnn. (Loud laughter.) Mr Koir Knrdio's amendment was defeated by 335 to 8. Another division was tnkon on tho motion that tho Bill bo rend a second time. For second reading 2f>f>. ?»p">inst 4,1, Government majority 2u3. Tho Bill was committed to a Committee of tho whole Houso. 1