HC Deb 16 February 1888 vol 322 cc552-4
MR. JUSTIN M'CARTHY (Londonderry City)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he has seen in The Daily News of 14th February, a report of the proceedings of Mr. Wilfrid Blunt's action against Mr. Byrne, in the Dublin Court of Exchequer, of the previous day, in which the following passage is contained— On the adjournment for luncheon, Mr. Walker said he must ask the Bench to order some refreshment to be allowed to Mr. Blunt. It had been refused to him on Saturday. The Attorney General said, certainly that would he done. He wished to correct a misstatement in some of the morning papers— namely, that he had objected to the adjournment on Saturday afternoon, when Mr. Blunt had said he had not had any food. On the contrary, he had asked his Lordship to adjourn then, as he asked him to adjourn now. He would take care that, as far as he was concerned, Mr. Blunt would have luncheon; and, whether he can give the House any explanation of the matter.

MR. SHAW LEFEVRE (Bradford, Central)

also had the following Question on the Paper:—To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, on further inquiries, he still adheres to his statement that there was no truth in the incident, as reported in the London papers, of what took place on the adjournment for luncheon of the ease of Mr. Blunt against Mr. Byrne, at Dublin, on Saturday last; whether Mr. Blunt had been allowed no food except dry bread and milk for two days previously; whether his counsel asked for an adjournment on that account; whether it is true that Mr. Blunt was entirely deprived of all means of writing, and of all literature except the Bible, during the first month of his imprisonment, and was only allowed a slate and a pencil from the commencement of the second month; whether the Visiting Magistrates specially recommended that he should be allowed writing materials; and whether this recommendation was refused by him though strongly urged by Mr. Blunt's friends?

THE PARLIAMENTAEY UNDER SECBETARY (Colonel KING-HAHMAN)(who replied) said (Kent, Isle of Thanet)

, I will answer both Questions at the same time. I have not seen the newspaper report referred to by the lion. Member for Londonderry. My right hon. Friend (Mr. A. J. Balfour) does still adhere to his statement. The newspaper report has been brought under the notice of the Judge, and he says there is no foundation for it. Up to luncheon time on Saturday Mr. Blunt received the full Irish prison diet, which is rather more liberal than the English, and, in addition, he had certain indulgences, ordered by the medical officer. He had lunched that day in Court, and has received it each day since. Under the Prisons Rules a prisoner, during the first month of imprisonment, is not entitled to writing materials, and can only have religious books, which, however, are not restricted to the Bible. From the commencement of the second month they are entitled to a slate and a secular book, paper and ink not being allowed until the fourth month. It is the case that the Visiting Justices, apparently through a misconception, made the recommendation alluded to, and that the friends of Mr. Blunt asked for special indulgences, altogether at variance with Prison Rules, to be granted to him. The Prisons Board, in the performance of their duty, were unable to accede to these requests.