§ MR. JAMES STUART (Shoreditch, Hoxton)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Is the Dr. MacCabe at present attending the inquest at Mitchelsown the same who fills the office of 544 Medical Commissioner of the Local Government Board; and, if so, why was he sent to examine the political prisoners in Tullamore Gaol; whether he has had his attention directed to the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Prisons, Ireland, 1883–4, in which they advise an improved diet for prisoners, and state,—
It should always be borne in mind that the medical officer of a prison, when he sees fit, may alter or add to the diet of any prisoner whose health seems to require attention;whether this recommendation was adopted; and, whether a Circular was issued by Dr. MacCabe, while a member of the Prisons Board, to the medical officers of Irish Prisons, requesting them to report in favour of the old scale of diet, which the Royal Commission had unanimously condemned?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)Dr. MacCabe now fills the office of Medical Commissioner of the Local Government Board. When he visited Tullamore, he was medical member of the Prison Board. The recommendation of the Royal Commission has been adopted. I need hardly add that no such Circular as that alluded to was ever issued.