 In May 1956 Bessie 's concerns about the treatment of prisoners in Walton Prison led to an investigation by Sir Godfrey Russell Vick , which revealed numerous instances of violence by members of the prison staff , and brought about reforms . In July that year , during a home affairs debate , Bessie demanded tougher regulations on the supply and licensing of air pistols , which under the existing law were readily available to juveniles . She alarmed the house by brandishing two such pistols which , she explained , she had confiscated in the course of her duties as a juvenile court magistrate . When rebuked by the Deputy Speaker , she replied that she had deliberately used shock tactics , reprising her earlier council chamber argument that " no one takes any notice unless someone does something which is out of order , or is unusual " . She also campaigned for the rights of larger women to obtain fashionable clothes ; using her substantial 50 " – 40 " – 50 " measurements to advantage , she took part in a fashion show aimed at the larger @-@ than @-@ average woman . 
