HC Deb 18 February 1890 vol 341 cc571-2
MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his attention has been called to a pamphlet alleging that, since the visit of Richard Pigott and other agents of the Times to Mr. John Daly in Chatham Prison, and the refusal of the prisoner to connect the Irish Party with dynamite outrages, Mr. Daly's treatment has changed and inereased in severity; and whether he will grant a sworn inquiry into Mr. Daly's treatment; and, if not, will he permit to any Member of this House who may desire to investigate the charges the same freedom of access to the prisoner as was granted to the agents of the Times?

MR. MATTHEWS

The pamphlet in question has been sent to me, and the allegations contained in it have been the subject of careful inquiry by the directors, who inform me that these allegations, and in particular the allegation that Daly's treatment has changed or increased in severity in consequence of his having refused to give evidence as suggested, are entirely without foundation. When asked by the visiting-director on January 29 last as to his treatment, Daly replied that he had no complaint to make. I am advised that I have no power to grant a sworn inquiry into Daly's treatment. Neither Members of Parliament nor any other persons can be allowed access to a prisoner for the purpose of investigating-matters of prison discipline. I intend to have a further special inquiry into Daly's treatment by the visitors, who are independent persons, specially appointed for the purpose of investigating any complaints of prisoners, but I have not power to grant a sworn inquiry.

MR. M. HEALY (Cork)

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the statement that Daly was nearly poisoned by having the wrong medicine given to him?

MR. MATTHEWS

Yes, Sir; my attention has been directed to that statement by the directors of the prison. It is true that the compounder of medicine did put an excessive quantity of belladonna into a dose of medicine, and he has been suspended in consequence.

MR. SEXTON (Belfast W.)

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to convey that no direct facility can be afforded to Members of this House to investigate the truth or falsehood of these charges as to the treatment of Daly?

MR. MATTHEWS

The question on the Paper is whether a Member of this House who may desire to investigate the charges shall have freedom of access to the prisoner. To give an order to any individual to investigate charges would be quite contrary to the prison rules and discipline.

MR. SEXTON

Cannot a Member of this House visit the prisoner in order to ascertain whether the charge is true or false; are lives to be endangered in consequence of a refusal to give evidence; what are the means of ascertaining the truth or falsehood of a charge?

MR. MATTHEWS

The proper tribunal to investigate a case in which a prisoner is concerned is the visitors whose special duty it is to inquire.

MR. M. HEALY

When will the right hon. Gentleman say that he will be in a position to make an inquiry?

MR. MATTHEWS

I will let the hon. Member know.