HC Deb 27 July 1888 vol 329 cc668-9
MR. ANDERSON (Elgin and Nairn)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he could state on what grounds the Governor of Tullamore Gaol refused on Wednesday to say whether he had any order to take the clothes from the late Mr. Mandeville, or give any evidence on the subject of his authority, so that important evidence was withheld from the jury; and, will the Government direct the Governor to give the evidence? The hon. Gentleman also asked, whether there was any objection to lay on the Table the instructions given to Dr. Barr; whether the Government would cause an inquiry to be made in regard to his conduct; and, also, whether the Government would suspend Dr. Barr's visits to the prisons?

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

Certainly not. I have seen no authentic report of the proceedings in Court, and I cannot conceive for what purpose such evidence would be important. I have before stated that, in my opinion, the use of necessary force is justified by the Prison Rules.

MR. ANDERSON

asked the Solicitor General for Ireland, whether he did not consider the authority under which the Governor of the prison was acting was inadequate?

THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. MADDEN) (Dublin University)

said, he agreed with the answer that had been given by his right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary.

MR. HUNTER (Aberdeen, N.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that Dr. Barr shall not again visit Mr. Dillon in prison, having regard to the fatal consequences that followed his visits to Mr. Mandeville?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

It is my desire and my duty to see that Mr. Dillon has the best medical advice possible.

MR. MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that on the next occasion when Dr. Barr visits Mr. John Dillon he will not refuse to give Mr. Dillon his name and address?

MR. HUNTER

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered my Question. I wish to know will he give the House an assurance that Dr. Barr shall not visit John Dillon in prison?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I have answered it.