§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he will cause inquiry to be made by some independent authority into the state of health of Patrick Byrne, a convict prisoner in Mary borough Gaol, and into the treatment to which he has been subjected since his removal from Spike Island Prison, and especially into the punishment to which he was subjected on the 9th, 10th, and 11th October last, and the effect of the said punishment upon his health?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI have received very full Reports as to the case of this man, and find that, with the exception of one month in October last year, he has been treated in the convict hospital at Mary borough since May, 1883, and has received every care and attention. The medical officer reports him to be phthisical, strumous, and spare, and generally of unsound constitution; but now in fair health for a man of his constitutional tendency. The convict was not subjected to punishment on any day in October last; but in October, 1883, when out of hospital, he was subjected to 24 hours' reduction of diet for a prison offence. The medical officer states that this could not have affected his health. I do not think that there is any ground for further inquiry in this case.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORWill the right hon. Gentleman state whether 642 special inquiries will be made as to the general condition of the prison?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANsaid, he had received a Report; but would like to go further into it.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORWill the right hon. Gentleman also inquire as to the amount of work executed by the officials, especially that of ordinary warders, as distinguished from convict warders?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANYes.