SUPPLY—REPORT. (Hansard, 28 June 1880)

§ MAJOR NOLAN
said, he had asked a question on these Votes in regard to the convict establishments that were, or rather that ought to be, in County Galway. The Government were kind enough to promise that they would give him an answer on Report. The facts simply were that a Commission of Inquiry into the prisons of Ireland reported that a convict prison ought to be established in Galway where there was already a prison available for the purpose, and where convict labour might also be usefully employed. The late Government promised that they would carry that recommendation into effect, and would establish a convict prison. He would wish to know when the present Government would put the Resolution in force, as he did not suppose for a moment that they intended to throw over the terms of the late Resolution? He brought the matter forward in Committee of Supply, and the Government promised to give him some information on Report as to the time they would commence this transfer of convicts.

§ LORD FREDERICK CAVENDISH
said, he had spoken to his right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary for Ireland on this subject, and he knew the right hon. Gentleman fully intended to be present there that night, and to make a statement on the subject. He supposed that the Report of Supply had 1081 been taken a little earlier than was expected, and, therefore, he was not in the House; but his right hon. Friend had told him that he thought the question had much better be discussed when it arose on the Votes. And he was inclined to agree with him that that was certainly not the most convenient way of raising the whole question. With respect to a question put to him by the noble Lord opposite (Lord Randolph Churchill), he begged to state that the Endowed Schools Bill (Ireland) would stand over.

§ MAJOR NOLAN
thought he had a right to complain. The Government promised to give him an answer on Report, and, therefore, he did not go into the question in Committee. He knew, of course, that it was an accident that the Chief Secretary for Ireland was not there; but, still, he thought he was entitled to an answer, and if the Government did not keep to arrangements which they made in this way, how could any trust be put in them? It was not at all a fair thing to say that the matter had better be discussed in Committee, when he had been promised an explanation on the Report, and it could scarcely be called fair and straightforward conduct.