HC Deb 20 March 1882 vol 267 cc1288-9
MR. JOSEPH COWEN

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he will undertake to return to their writers the letters sent to the political prisoners in Irish gaols that are opened and not delivered to the prisoners?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

said, he found that it was contrary to the Prison Regulations to return letters which were not delivered to the prisoners; and he could not, having regard to prison discipline, depart from that rule.

MR. SEXTON

asked if the right hon. Gentleman would modify the Rule so far as to inform the writers that the letters had not been delivered?

MR. J. COWEN

said, he had occasion to write to "suspects" upon matters which were not political, and he was unable to ascertain whether the letters had been detained or not.

MR. W. E. FORSTER

I will consider the Question asked by. the hon. Member for Sligo (Mr. Sexton).