§ MR. T. M. HEALYThe question which stands in my name is, to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the evidence as to the treat- 855 ment of Mr. John Daly in Chatham Prison has been taken in writing; if it will be laid before the House; and will the prisoner be offered the option of removal to another prison? As a point of order, I wish to call attention to the fact that an important part of the question has been omitted. It contained, as I gave notice of it, a reference to the fact that, according to the admission of the Government, Daly had been poisoned by the administration of an excessive dose of belladonna. I want to know how long he was in the hospital, and whether the medical attendant has been suspended for administering the poison, or still remains in the service of the Crown? For some reason, utterly inexplicable to me, it has been thought fit to omit these questions. Seeing that I only referred to a matter of fact which has been admitted by the Government themselves, I submit that an improper licence has been exercised in editing the question which involves the curtailing of the liberty of an hon. Member in obtaining intelligence.
§ * MR. SPEAKERA portion of the question was omitted because it assumed that the person mentioned in it had been poisoned.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYIt was so stated by the Minister.
§ * MR. SPEAKERI did not gather that from what passed in this House.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYThen may I ask whether, as a matter of fact, this man was poisoned? I did not assume that he had been maliciously poisoned; but what I wanted to know was whether he had been maliciously or unmaliciously poisoned; and whether the man who compounded the drugs still remains in the service? The Home Secretary said at the time that he had been suspended.
§ MR. MATTHEWSThe wording of the hon. and learned Gentleman's question certainly would have the effect on an ordinary mind of inducing the belief that he was referring to an intentional poisoning. I am glad to learn that it is not so.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYI beg the right hon. Gentleman's pardon; but he could not have said that about my question unless the clerk submitted it to him.
§ MR. MATTHEWSI am speaking of the verbal question which the hon. Gentleman has put to me to-day. I am glad to accept his assurance that he does not mean to imply that there was an intention to poison. What I stated to the House some weeks ago was that the compounder in making up the medicine put an overdose of belladonna in it, and the convict was in the prison hospital for, I think, three days. The compounder was suspended, and, although he remains in the service, he does not perform such duties now. With regard to the question on the Paper, I have to inform the hon. Gentleman that a shorthand note is being taken of the evidence before the visitors in Chatham Prison; and when the Report comes in I shall be able to give an answer to the other parts of the hon. Gentleman's inquiry.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYWas not this poison administered more than once?
§ MR. MATTHEWSOn three occasions, I believe. The poison was prescribed by the doctor as part of the medicine, and there was an excessive dose put in. The medicine was three times administered before complaint was made of the treatment.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYI have now to ask Mr. Speaker whether there was anything irregular in my question as handed in?
§ * MR. SPEAKERI have already stated that there was something irregular. I shall reserve to myself the right to expunge from questions anything reflecting on individuals and assuming facts which are not admitted.
§ MR. A. O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)On the point of order, I wish to ask whether in cases where questions are altered, hon. Members might not have the fact drawn to their notice, so that they may be made responsible for what appears on the Paper?
§ * MR. SPEAKERIn ninety-nine cases out of a hundred that is done.
§ MR. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)I wish to ask the Home Secretary whether Daly did not attempt more than once to blow up the House of Commons?
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!