§ MR. STACPOOLEsaid, he would beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he has seen the Opinion, bearing date the 11th of February 1870, given by Doctor Robert Lyons, of Dublin, member of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and physician to the Royal College of Maynooth, on the Case and Statement submitted to him as to the alleged treatment of the Irish political prisoners, in which, among other matters, he states—
I am of opinion that, on the Case and Statements furnished to me, the discipline, food, personal restriction, diet, and other punishments are calculated to inflict permanent injury to the constitutions of the prisoners submitted thereto; and I am further of opinion, that the care and state of the prisoners herein referred to calls for an official medical inquiry and report;and, if so, whether the Government are prepared to institute an official inquiry as to the treatment of the Irish political prisoners by medical men of eminence totally unconnected with the Convict Prisons, as suggested by Doctor Lyons, with a view of satisfying the public mind of Ireland on the point?
MR. GLADSTONEI have seen, Sir, the opinion given by Dr. Robert Lyons, of Dublin, and referred to the allegations on which it is founded. I am afraid with respect to many of those allegations it would be of no avail to promise an inquiry, because they have been already the subject of a solemn and official inquiry in the time of the late Administration. The official reports have been I produced in contradiction to the statements of parties; but those contradictions have not been deemed satisfactory by those parties, and they have not thought it fitting to read the official reports. This I think brings us to the end of our tether, inasmuch as we have no higher means at our command of getting information than those which 1141 these reports of responsible persons at a former inquiry furnished us. With regard to the general statement respecting the health and condition of these persons, I can state, that both as to work and diet, they are not only treated in no respect worse than other prisoners, but in several respects better. They are entirely isolated from the ordinary prisoners, except at the invalid prison at Woking where complete isolation is difficult; but even there they are lodged; together. It is true that some time ago Colonel Henderson introduced an alteration which made a reduction of diet compared with what it had been previously. But that reduction of diet was very carefully made, and the effect of that reduction, according to medical authority, had not been to impair, but rather to improve the health of the prisoners, because, although the quantity was diminished, the variety of diet was increased. Having said so much, and fearing on many points there is a direct conflict of assertion, which we have no means of reconciling, I say, notwithstanding that, if the parties who have informed Dr. Lyons or any other parties have any distinct statement to be tested by examination, which they think fit to lay before my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department, we are not at all shy of permitting au inquiry in such matters. On the contrary, there ought not to be the smallest indisposition to inquire whether there is really any ground for inquiry. Such statements, if submitted to my right hon. Friend, shall receive the fullest examination. In the meantime, the general information I have given is perfectly indisputable. And, further, I am informed that when Mrs. O'Donovan Rossa not very long ago visited her husband in prison she was able—and I am extremely glad of it—to congratulate him on his improved appearance.