WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE AND GOVERNMENT CONTROL, 1906-1922

Papers from the Cabinet, Home Office and Metropolitan Police Files in the Public Record Office (CAB 41, HO 45, HO 144, MEPO 2 and MEPO 3)

How did Government seek to address the question of Women’s Suffrage? - these PRO files provide scholars with a wealth of evidence on this fascinating subject. There is significant material representing both sides of the struggle and featuring prominent Suffragettes such as:

• Beatrice Helen Saunders and Harriet Johnson
• Emmeline Pankhurst and Meredith Macdonald
• Mary Richardson, Phyllis Brady and Lilian Lenton
• Agnes Lake, Harriet Kerr, Ethel Slade and Ella Stevenson
• Sylvia Pankhurst, Alice Chapin and Alison Neilsan
• Anne Kenney, Clara Giveen, Rachel Peace and Jane Short

CAB 41 files include material on the Suffragette prisoners in Holloway, the Women’s Suffrage Bill, Women’s Suffrage Amendments to the Franchise Bill, the Withdrawal of the Franchise Bill, Suffrage Disorders, the Treatment of Suffrage Prisoners and details on prominent Suffragettes.

HO 45 files provide evidence on complaints made by Suffragettes concerning the conditions under which they were conveyed to prison in police vans, 1913-1922; the Suffragette’s Memorandum: Treatment in prison and remission of sentences, 1922; the speech of Mr Cecil Chapman, Metropolitan Magistrate, in favour of Women’s Suffrage, 1911; the Women’s Social and Political Union meeting on 23 January 1912; Reports on Suffragette activities and meetings, 1912-1913; the attempted Suffragette deputation to the King, 1914; Forcible Feeding Committee (Medical) Deputation, 1914; Civil Proceedings against certain subscribers to the Women’s Social and Political Union, 1914; Protection of Polling Stations and Ballot Boxes from Suffragettes, 1910-1912; Representation of the People Bill, 1912; Women’s Suffrage Bill and Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for Ill-Health) Bill, 1913.

HO 144 files offer considerable detail covering Suffragettes’ prosecutions; Picketing of Downing Street,1909; the temporary release from prison of various women under the "Cat and Mouse" Act; the Metropolitan Magistrate forced to withdraw from the Men’s League for Women’s Suffrage, 1911; Male supporters of women’s rights; campaign for the release of Sylvia Pankhurst; George Lansbury’s release from prison; obstruction, arson, conspiracy and possession of explosives charges against Suffragettes; Drugs illegally conveyed to activists in Holloway Prison, 1914; Police raid on the headquarters of the Women’s Social and Political Union,1914; Mrs Emmeline Pankhurst,1913-1917; Hunger strikes and forcible feeding, 1912-1914; the disturbance at Limehouse, 1909; the prevention of annoyance to Cabinet Ministers by women activists; and the award of five hundred pounds in compensation to Mrs Meredith Macdonald for treatment received in a prison hospital, 1909-1910.

The MEPO 2 and MEPO 3 files include: Disturbances and Convictions, 1906-1908; Suffragettes: legal opinion as to the appropriate charge; Instructions to Police, 1910; the Prosecution of Emmeline Pankhurst and others in 1910; Police Procedures at Suffragette demonstrations, 1911; the Arrest of two hundred Suffragettes for assaults on police and other offences, 1911-1912; Accident involving His Majesty’s horse and jockey, 1913; Aids to check interference by Suffragettes at borough elections, 1912; Supervision of Suffragettes’ movements by police sergeant on motor cycle, 1913-1914; Suffragette demonstration at the House of Commons, 1913; Supervision of Westminster Hall entrance, 1913 and Suffragettes: Complaints against Police.

Additional items such as PCOM 8/228: Suffragettes: Instructions to Governors and WORK 19/25/2: Protection from suffragist attacks: reports - question of providing forms of payment of extra police and watchmen (1913-1920) are also incorporated into this microfilm edition.

This collection will allow much greater access to the key files for 1906-1922 providing researchers with the opportunity for renewed investigation of public records essential for a complete understanding of the Suffrage Movement, the Government response and the day by day handling of difficult situations by the Police and other law enforcement organisations.