HC Deb 03 May 1881 vol 260 cc1653-4
MR. HEALY

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is the fact that the political prisoners in Kilmainham and elsewhere are prevented from receiving certain newspapers; and, whether the "Newcastle Chronicle," "Echo," "Graphic," "Illustrated London News," "Nation," and "Irishman" have, amongst other papers, been stopped when forwarded to the prisoners; and, if so, why so?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

I presume the hon. Member refers to the prisoners confined in Kilmainham Gaol under the Protection of Person and Property (Ireland) Act. [Mr. HEALY: Hear, hear!] I cannot admit that such prisoners are political prisoners; but concerning them I may say that it has been arranged that they shall receive the Dublin daily newspapers and the newspapers published in their own localities. I think that all reasonable requirements will be met by this arrangement.

MR. HEALY

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my Question?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

I think I have answered that Question, that the prisoners were allowed to receive the daily papers, and the papers of their own locality. I did not think it necessary to add that the papers published in Newcastle and the other places mentioned in the Question were not in the locality to which the prisoners belonged.

MR. HEALY

I will ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is a fact that the papers mentioned have been stopped?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

I have already stated the papers received by the prisoners, and that is sufficient.

MR. HEALY

I beg to give Notice that, to-morrow, I will ask the right hon. Gentleman, Whether it is true that The Newcastle Chronicle, The Echo, The Graphic, The Illustrated News, The Nation, and The Irishman, had been forwarded to Kilmainham and other Irish gaols, and whether they have not been stopped?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

I will answer the Question at once. If they have been sent they have been stopped. It is necessary to have a rule in this matter. We considered that we have fully met the intention of this House while passing the Bill, and we have given every arrangement which ought to be made for the prisoners, by allowing them the newspapers which I have stated.

MR. HEALY

Will the right hon. Gentleman state—

MR. SPEAKER

The Question of the hon. Member has been put three times, and fully answered.