§ MR. BIGGARasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If an investigation was held by the Prisons Board in Ireland on the conduct of the chief warder of Monagban Bride- 248 well, for misconduct in the Monaghan Court-house on the 7th December, during the hearing of the criminal business and while he had prisoners in charge; and, if it could not be so arranged by the Prisons Board that one Catholic warder who could read or recite prayers on Sunday for remanded Catholic prisoners, who cannot get to church and who have no benefit of chaplain, could be appointed to Bridewells such as Monaghan?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERI have communicated with the Chairman of the Prisons Board on the subject to which the hon. Member's Question refers, and have received a letter from him, in which he states that in consequence of a letter in a fictitious name received by him the Board instituted an inquiry resulting in the complete vindication of the character of the chief warder. With regard to the second part of the hon. Gentleman's Question, I do not think it would be desirable to impose on warders the duty of saying prayers in prisons, or of handing over to any disciplinary officers the conduct of religious services. The object was, however, provided for under the new Rules.