HC Deb 02 April 1889 vol 334 cc1388-9
MR. SEXTON

asked the Solicitor General for Ireland who were to act on the Commission, or Committee, to inquire into the treatment of prisoners; what were the terms of the directions upon which they were to act; and whether, pending the inquiry and report, prisoners sentenced under the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act, who refuse to wear the criminal garb would be forcibly stripped?

MR. MADDEN

The constitution of the Committee is not finally determined upon. Unexpected delays have occurred with regard to persons requested to serve. As soon as the Committee is appointed, the terms and directions on which they are to act will be laid on the Table of the House. In answer to the last paragraph, I have to say that rules embodying the opinions which the Chief Secretary has expressed in this House upon the subject of prison dress have been provisionally passed and put in force. They will, however, of course not apply specially to persons imprisoned under the Criminal Law Act, 1887, but will be of general application to persons confined in local prisons in Ireland.