HC Deb 02 July 1888 vol 328 cc66-7
MR. W. A. MACDONALD (Queen's County, Ossory)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, How many Members of Parliament are now in prison; for what offences they have committed; and, whether they are treated as ordinary criminals, or as first-class misdemeanants?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)

There are three Members of Parliament now in prison—one convicted of taking part in a criminal conspiracy, and of inciting other persons to take part in a criminal conspiracy; another convicted of unlawfully taking part in a criminal conspiracy, and of inciting certain persons unlawfully to take part in a criminal conspiracy; and a third convicted of unlawfully inciting certain persons to take part in a criminal conspiracy, to compel and induce certain other persons not to fulfil their legal obligations. Of these, two are treated as ordinary criminals; the other as a first-class misdemeanant.

MR. W. A. MACDONALD

inquired why a difference was made in their treatment?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Because they received different sentences.

MR. W. A. MACDONALD

asked, Whether the sentence compelling Members of that House to wear prison dress and take exercise with ordinary criminals depended entirely upon the caprice of a County Court Judge?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

said, that it depended upon the nature of the offence, and nothing else.