§ MR. M'CARTANasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the visit of Head Constable Preston of the Royal Irish Constabulary to the prisoner Tracy at Milbank Prison, whether he will state by whom the application for permission to visit Tracy was made in this case; whether the name of the intending visitor was mentioned in the application; and whether Head Constable Preston's interview with Tracy was held in the presence of a warder; and, if so, if he will give the name of the warder?
§ MR. MATTHEWSThe application was made by Mr. Soames, Solicitor, who asked that James Preston, whom he named, might be allowed to see Tracy. James Preston's interviews with Tracy were held within the view of Chief-warder Weir, who was in charge of Tracy. I see that I am erroneously reported to have described Tracy as a "short-time" prisoner—that is, a person imprisoned in default of sureties of the peace.
§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)The right hon. Gentleman used the expression that the interview took place within the view of the Chief-warder. Was it within the hearing of the Chief-warder?
§ MR. MATTHEWSNo, it was not. It took place in the room which is commonly called the Solicitor's Room, with a sort of glass cage through which, without being able to hear the conversation, the warder can see all that goes on.
§ MR. SEXTONWere these visits to Tracy made at his request or with his knowledge?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI believe that the fact is that any prisoner who wishes to see a solicitor is allowed to have an interview.
§ MR. SEXTONBut this was a bead constable and not a solicitor. Had the solicitor for the defence the same free access to the prisoner?
§ MR. MATTHEWSThe same rule would be applied in all cases when an application is made for an interview with a prisoner.