HC Deb 12 August 1889 vol 339 cc1030-2
MR. SEXTON

I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secre- tary whether three of the Falcarragh prisoners who have been detained in Derry Gaol have been discharged in a state of serious illness; whether one of them, when released, was in a delirious condition, and died shortly afterwards of typhus fever, contracted in the gaol, and whether another was not dangerously ill of the same fever. I would also ask whether, having regard to the opinion of the Lord Chief Baron that Mr. Conybeare is illegally in custody, and ought to be discharged, the Government intend to enforce the whole of his sentence?

MR. A J. BALFOUR

I have heard to-day that one of the Falcarragh prisoners, released from Derry Gaol, has since died of typhus fever.

MR. SEXTON

He was delirious when let out.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I have not heard that; neither have I heard of the illness of two other persons from typhus, as described by the right hon. Gentleman. I should rather think that the allegation was erroneous, because, in answer to my communications, the only statement which I have received is that on July 11 a prisoner was discharged suffering from inflammation of the lungs, and I think that the authorities would have given additional information as to the typhus if it had existed. As to the hon. Member for Camborne, I do not know that particular circumstances connected with Derry Gaol have any bearing on his case.

MR. SEXTON

It is a dangerous gaol.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I quite admit that the fact that a prisoner who was recently in Derry Gaol has died of typhus, supplies very adequate ground for making a most careful inspection of the prison, and to-day the principal member of the Prisons Board has gone to Derry for the purpose of instituting the necessary inquiries.

DR. KENNY (Cork, S.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the justice of making some compensation to the family of the poor man who has died, and to whose sentence of imprisonment the penalty of death has been added by the Government?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Until we know the real circumstances of the case and are informed as to the sanitary condition of Derry Goal, it would be premature to consider any question of that kind.

MR. MAC NEILL

Will the right hon. Gentleman give orders that a covered place, instead of an exposed yard, shall be constructed for the use of prisoners when exercising? On July 12 a prisoner died of sunstroke in consequence of exposure to the burning sun.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The propriety of erecting a covered place of recreation is a question of general prison management which ought not to be decided with reference to one particular gaol. I will inquire what the practice is in England, and if there is a different system here I will consider what should be done in the matter.

MR. SEXTON

In Supply we shall have to discuss whether this Derry Gaol is not a deathtrap.

DR. FITZGERALD (Longford S.)

Had the Government, at the time of the release of the prisoners, information in their possession that typhus had broken out in Derry Gaol?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

No, Sir. No information of the kind was possessed by the Government as far as I know; nor do I know that it is absolutely certain that the man did die of typhus. There seems to be some doubt about it.

MR. COSSHAM (Bristol, E.)

As the Lord Chief Baron has expressed an opinion that Mr. Conybeare has been illegally convicted, and seeing that another Judge entertained some doubt in the matter, will the Government order Mr. Conybeare's release?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I have already answered that question.