HC Deb 24 February 1882 vol 266 cc1532-4
MR. SALT

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he is aware of the unhealthy state of the gaol at Omagh; that a former governor lost three children there, one from diptheria, and suffered himself from an attack of typhoid fever; that the late governor did not venture to allow his wife and child to live with him in the gaol; and that he has himself recently died from typhoid fever; and, whether, under these circumstances, an annuity will be granted to the widow of the late governor, as she is stated to be greatly in need of assistance?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

said, he was afraid that the late Governor, who had died from typhoid fever, having been appointed in December, 1878, had not been in the service sufficiently long to entitle his widow to a pension under the regulations in force.

MR. R. POWER

asked the Chief Secretary,If he had received a Memorial, signed by 29 "suspects" in Omagh Gaol, in which the following statements occur:— The sanitary condition of the gaol is simply abominable. From the defective sewerage the most noxious, poisonous gases arise, permeating the atmosphere around us, and filling our lungs with the seeds of disease. Many of us are, and have been, unwell for some time past. Strong men who never were; ill before complain of the sickening effects produced by the bad sanitation. We are, as you may be aware, kept locked up in our cells for 18 hours out of 24, the other six are supposed to be allowed for exercise; four of these hours are spent in a yard about 40 feet square. The well from which we are supplied with water lies within a few yards of the house where the late governor died from typhoid fever; and if he will take immediate steps to have the "suspects" removed to some other gaol?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

said, he had read the Memorial referred to yesterday, and had sent down a physician from Dublin to examine very carefully into the state of Omagh Prison. The information they had previously received from the medical authorities did not confirm that statement; but, undoubtedly, it was a matter on which they ought to have the fullest information. The physician who had been sent down had not yet finished his Report, but lie hoped to get it to-morrow. With regard to the circumstances mentioned in the Question as to the late Governor, he could only say that they would be most carefully considered.

MR. MONK

asked if the Irish Government could not recommend the Treasury to grant an allowance to the widow of the late Captain Disney; and if it was a fact that the Governor had previously suffered from fever there?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

said, that all the circumstances should be taken into consideration. The Government had no record of the fact that the Governor had suffered from typhoid fever before April, 1878, and since the Prisons Board had taken charge of the prison he certainly had not suffered. On the appointment of Captain Disney, it was thought advisable to have the sanitary condition of the Governor's residence examined, and Captain Disney had been advised to remove from his residence while the repairs were being carried out, but he did not do so. He was not at all blaming the deceased gentleman, for he (Mr. W. E. Forster) believed it was from a wish to attend closely to his duties that Captain Disney had refused to do so. He slept over an open sewer while the improvements were being executed, and in this manner took the fever.

MR. HEALY

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman would lay on the Table a Return of the mortality in the prison as well as the Report of the physician who had been sent down from Dublin?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

said, he had not promised to lay the Report on the Table, but to give the House all the information in bis power.

MR. MACARTNEY

inquired if the Correspondence between Captain Disney and the authorities, with reference to his change of quarters, would also be laid before the House?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

said, he had rot seen this Correspondence, but he would inquire about it.

MR. GIBSON

said, it would be also well to know whether Captain Disney was informed that he would be provided with suitable apartments outside while the improvements wore being made.