§ Mr. SPEAKERacquainted the House that he had received the following Letter, relating to the imprisonment of 734 MR. William O'Brien, a Member of this House:—
Cork,27th August 1889.Sir,I have the honor to report for your information that on yesterday, the 26th instant, at Clonakilty Petty Sessions, in the County of Cork, Mr. William O'Brien, Member of Parliament, was convicted by a Court of Summary Jurisdiction, constituted under 'The Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act, 1887,' of an offence against sub-section 1, of the 2nd section of the said Act, and was sentenced to be imprisoned in the County Gaol at Cork for two calendar months without hard labour; and, at the expiration of that period of imprisonment, to enter into a recognisance, himself in £400 and two Sureties in £200 each, to be of good behaviour towards all Her Majesty's subjects for 12 months, or in default to be imprisoned for a further period of two months unless he shall sooner enter into such recognisance.He was on yesterday the 26th instant committed accordingly to the County Gaol at Cork.I have the honor to be, Sir,Your most obedient servant,J. B. IRWIN,Resident Magistrate, and Chairman of said Court.The Right Honble. The Speaker,House of Commons, London.
§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)In reference to the letter which has just been, read, I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary whether he is able now to say definitely what arrangement will be made as to the prison treatment of my hon. Friend with regard to the use of books and writing materials?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.I do not know that I have anything to add to what I said in reply to the right hon. Gentleman yesterday; but I will remind him that the medical officer of Cork Prison is well acquainted with the health and constitution of the hon. Member for North-East Cork, and I do not think that the hon. Member, or any of his friends, or the House, need be under any apprehension whatever as to every attention being paid to the health of the hon. Member. The most careful 735 consideration towards the hon. Member for North-East Cork will be paid by all the prison authorities.