HC Deb 11 July 1881 vol 263 cc502-3
MR. HEALY

asked The Chief Secretary to The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is aware that since Monday last a notice to The following effect is placed in The hands of persons visiting their friends in Kilmainham Prison: The attention of visitors is requested to the rule that conversation with, and letters to, prisoners detained under warrant issued pursuant to the Protection of Person and Property (Ireland) Act should be confined to business and personal matters, and that, in case of political matters being introduced into conversation by visitors or prisoners, the visit will be brought to a close. (Signed) Governor. "4th July 1881. if it is true that a Member of this House was on Monday last refused permission to copy this notice—first by a warder, and next by The Governor—until he insisted on his right to do so, and gave them the choice of making himself a copy, or temporarily retaining for that purpose the paper which had been placed in his hands; whether he approves of the original refusal of The prison authorities to allow a copy to be made of a document intended for public guidance; if its issue had his knowledge and sanction; and, if he will state which of the eighteen rules made by the Lord Lieutenant as to the treatment of prisoners (dated 14th March) is the rule referred to in the foregoing notice?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

, in reply, said, he was cognizant of the Notice which had been placed in the hands of persons visiting their friends in Kilmainham. He was also aware that a Member of the House was refused permission to copy this notice. He admitted it would have been better if the prison authorities had allowed that Member to have a copy of the notice in the first instance; but he did not think it was a matter of very great consequence. It was a regulation which the Governor had a right to make.

MR. HEALY

asked how it was that during the four months the Act had been in operation no such rule or regulation was thought necessary?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

said, he could only state that it was found necessary to do this.