§ MR. O'SULLIVANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, When the Return, ordered by the House on the 28th of April, in reference to the County Limerick Prison, will be laid upon the Table?
§ MR. J. LOWTHER, in reply, said, that the Return which the hon. Gentleman moved for in April was a Return of the number of prisoners who committed suicide in the County Limerick Prison since the appointment of the present Governor, and also of those removed to the lunatic asylum during the same time. He had no objection to that Return at the time, only he had pointed out that it would have been much better that a date should be fixed, instead of indicating the period in the particular manner set out in the Return. The hon. Member, however, at the time, was unable to furnish the precise date of the appointment of the Governor; and, accordingly, in order to avoid delay he (Mr. Lowther) agreed to the Return in the form proposed; but as he considered it was unjust towards a public functionary, he had given Notice to move a supplementary Return, showing the number of prisoners who were considered by the medical officer insane on their committal, as well as a further Return in reference to the prison, and both would be laid on the Table of the House. He found, on inquiry, that the public functionary referred to bore so high a character that there was no danger of any false impression arising in connection with the matter.
§ MR. O'SULLIVANhoped he was in Order in asking the Speaker, Whether it was in the power of any Member of the House to refuse to comply with the Orders of the House?
§ MR. J. LOWTHERsaid, he had not at all refused to comply with the Orders of the House; he had merely sought for a supplementary Return himself.—
§ MR. O'SULLIVANsaid, that if the Return he had moved for were laid on 837 the Table of the House he had no objection to the supplemental Return being also granted.