§ LORD ERNEST HAMILTON (Tyrone, N.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is true that it is proposed to do away with the Omagh Prison and to constitute Derry Gaol a district prison; whether he is aware that Omagh Gaol is in a healthy open situation, while that of Derry is in a densely crowded part of the town; whether Omagh is more convenient as a centre than Derry; and, 1530 whether, before arriving at any final settlement of this question, he will make further inquiries as to the advisability of taking this step?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)In accordance with a recommendation of the Royal Commission on Prisons, it has been decided to reduce the prison at Omagh to the status of a minor prison; but there is no intention to close it altogether. It is not sufficiently commodious for the Londonderry and Omagh Prisons combined; whereas the Londonderry Prison has sufficient accommodation for that purpose, and is equally convenient. The sanitation of both prisons is stated to be quite satisfactory.