§ MR. MURPHY (Dublin, St. Patrick's)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Irish Prison Regulations (Rule 105) provide that the surgeon may, in case of danger or difficulty, call in medical assistance; whether there is anything in the Rules to limit the discretion of the surgeon in selecting the medical assistance he will call in; whether a Circular has been sent from the Irish Prisons Board to Governors of gaols, requiring them to submit a list of names of medical practitioners whom they may consider suitable in their districts for the purpose of being called in consultation; and, whether the Prisons Board are justified in attempting to fetter the discretion of the prison surgeons in this matter?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)The Rule is as stated, and a Circular has been issued as mentioned. The appointment of Medical Officers of Prisons requires the sanction of the authorities; and it seems to me to be certainly within the spirit of the Rules that some effective control should be exercised as to the selection of consulting physicians.