HC Deb 07 August 1888 vol 329 cc1835-6
MR. MAC NEILL (Donegal, S.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been directed to a letter from Dr. Barr to the late Dr. Ridley, dated December 12, 1887, read at the Coroner's Inquest to inquire into Dr. Ridley's death, in which the following passage occurs:— My Dear Ridley,—I had a long talk with Mr. Bourke this evening. I called his attention to Dr. Moorhead. He says the difficulty the Lord Chancellor has with him is that there is no absolute falsehood proved against him; is the Mr. Bourke referred to the Honourable Charles Bourke, Chairman of the Prisons Board in Ireland; is the Dr. Moorhead referred to a medical doctor who, in his capacity of Visiting Justice of Tullamore Prison, reported on the condition of the late Mr. John Mandeville during his imprisonment; and, whether any communication from the Honourable Charles Bourke has been received by the Lord Chancellor of Ireland recommending the removal of Dr. Moorhead from the Commission of the Peace in consequence of his action in reference to Mr. John Mandeville; and, if so, what reply has been given by the Lord Chancellor?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)

With respect to the inquiries in the first three paragraphs in the Question, I have not seen any authentic copy of the letter referred to; nor even if I had would it be proper for me to make any statement bearing on the evidence given at the inquest which is still proceeding. I am informed that the reply to the inquiry in the last paragraph is in the negative.

THE LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN (Mr. SEXTON) (Belfast, W.)

asked, whether the right hon. Gentleman would inquire whether Dr. Barr, his agent, had at a private interview suggested to the Chairman of the Prisons Board that he should move the Lord Chancellor to remove Dr. Moorhead from the Commission of the Peace for discharging his duty as a Visiting Justice?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

said, he had not the slightest reason for believing that Dr. Barr had done anything of that kind, and he must decline to inquire as to private conversations.

MR. MAC NEILL

asked, whether Mr. Bourke, the Chairman of the Prisons Board, did not occupy a position from which he was removable at the pleasure of the right hon. Gentleman?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

believed that he held his position on exactly the same tenure as any other Civil servant.

MR. MAC NEILL

Was that not at the will and pleasure of the right hon. Gentleman?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

No, Sir; that would be an inaccurate description of the position of a Civil servant.