§ MR. REDMONDasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If it is a fact that on the 18th January last a lady and gentleman made application to pay a professional visit in Kilmainham to Dr. Joseph Cardiff, who for twenty years had been their medical attendant; whether such application was refused, and that eventually the visit had to take place in the ordinary cage, and in presence of two warders, and was useless from a professional point of view; and, whether he will, in accordance with the pledges given last Session, as far as possible, give facilities to prisoners to carry on their business or profession?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERThe statement contained in the hon. Member's Question is correct. Dr. Cardiff was not permitted to see two visitors except in the presence of two warders. The Governor was justified in not permitting the interview to take place except under such circumstances. There have been exceptional cases in which private visits 1700 have been allowed; but it has been found-that they are bad precedents to make, as it is impossible for them to take place without disorganizing the discipline of the prison.
§ Subsequently,
§ MR. BIGGARasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he is aware that the political "suspects" in Kilmainham and other prisons in Ireland, who are living on the fare allowed by the prison authorities, are debarred from supplementing such prison allowance by the purchase by "suspects" of butter, eggs, &c.; and if such rule will be relaxed?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERThe rule is as the hon. Member has stated. Any prisoner must give notice if he desires to supply himself with food. It was found necessary to make this rule for the convenience of the prison arrangements.
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERYes.