HC Deb 01 July 1880 vol 253 cc1252-3
MR. T. P. O'CONNOR

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether any, and, if so, what, steps have been taken to carry out the promise of the late Government to establish a convict establishment at Galway in place of the establishment at Spike Island?

MR. W. E. FORSTER,

in reply, said, he understood the late Government did not make a distinct pledge on the subject, but only intimated that it would receive favourable consideration. When the Government came into Office they found the subject was still under consideration. As the present Government were not responsible for anything done by the late Government, they did not feel bound by the opinions of the late Government; and, besides that, it must be remembered that the subject of the question was only a part of the whole matter of prisons. All he could say was that when the question came to be considered, the claims of Galway would receive very careful attention.