SIR UGHTRED KAY-SHUTTLE-WORTH (Lancashire, Clitheroe)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he has conferred with the Under Secretary on the case of Thomas Moroney, who has been more than 13 months in prison, having been committed in January, 1887, by a Bankruptcy Judge for contempt of Court, and whose wife has meanwhile suffered eviction; and, whether any communication will be made to the Judge, or any other steps taken to promote the prisoner's release?
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)(who replied) said: I beg to state that no conference has taken place with the Under Secretary in regard to the case of Moroney. As already explained, it is not the intention of the Executive to interfere in the case. Moroney was committed, not for pimply contempt of Court, but for refusing to be sworn in the Court of Bankruptcy in reference to certain moneys concealed by him. It is open to him at present, and has been all along, to obtain immediate release from prison by submitting himself to be sworn; but, as I have already stated, the Government have no power to interfere in the matter. A communication such as that indicated in the Question would be an unwarrantable interference with the Judge in the discharge of duties imposed upon him by Act of Parliament.
§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)Might I ask the right hon. and gallant Gentleman to state whether if Moroney is to be detained in prison for the rest of his life—until he dies—the Government will allow that to be done?
§ COLONEL KING-HARMANThe answer to that Question lies very much with Mr. Moroney himself.