§ MR. MITCHELL HENRYmoved for Copies of Memorials and other Papers addressed to the Irish Government praying for the release of the prisoner Patrick Casey, confined under the provisions 935 of the Protection to Life and Property (Ireland) Act.
§
Motion made, and Question proposed,
That there be laid before this House, Copies of all Memorials addressed to the Lord Lieutenant or the Irish Government, praying for the release of the prisoner Patrick Casey, confined under the provisions of the Protection to Life and Property (Ireland) Act:
Of all special Medical Reports in the case:
Of all special Minutes made by the Lord Lieutenant relative to the prisoner:
And, of any application made by him for liberty to marry; and of any answer thereto."—(Mr. Mitchell Henry.)
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHopposed the Motion, stating that all special Minutes and Papers relating to cases arising under the Westmeath Act had always been regarded as confidential. He could conceive no useful object to be gained by acceding to the Motion.
§ MR. BUTTridiculed the notion that any documents which gave absolute power to the Lord Lieutenant to commit an innocent man to prison should be considered confidential and kept secret.
§ Question put.
§ The House divided:—Ayes 28; Noes 5: Majority 57.