The Argus, 15th August 1890

The Rushden Vaccination Case - Question in the House of Commons
In the House of Commons on Monday Mr. Channing said: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that  up  to the present no compensation has been awarded by the Treasury to William Cheney, of Rushden, Northants, who was illegally subjected to hard labour in Northampton Gaol, while undergoing a short sentence for failure to comply with a vaccination order; whether he is aware that William Cheney was in bad health previous to imprisonment, and has suffered in health from being forced to work on the treadmill and has been unable to work; and whether he will make further representations to the Treasury as to the question of compensation for Cheney?

Mr. Matthews: Inquiries have been made by the Treasury Solicitor, and he cannot ascertain that either the magistrates or their clerk, or the governor of the prison have received any complaint or application from Cheney. According to the information supplied to me by the prison authorities, Cheney was in good health on reception and on discharge. In the absence of any complaint or application from this man, I am not in a position to make any further representation to the Treasury on the subject.

Mr. Channing: Am I not right in understanding the right hon. gentleman when questioned on this case before to have stated that the man was entitled to compensation, on the ground that he has suffered hard labour contrary to the law?

Mr. Matthews: If the man has suffered injury the State will be perfectly prepared to consider his compensation.

Mr. Bradlaugh: Has not a similar case been decided where a man tried to recover compensation against the State?

Mr. Channing: Apart from any physical injury he may have sustained, is not the man entitled to compensation for having been put to hard labour contrary to law?