HC Deb 28 February 1889 vol 333 cc585-7
MR. T. M. HEALY

asked the Home Secretary by whose orders the prisoners James Mullett and Patrick Nally, sentenced in 1883 for conspiracy to murder, were brought over from Irish prisons to a London gaol; whether they were visited here by a police officer, or by any representative of the Times; and if representatives of other "parties" before the Royal Commission would be allowed access to them so as to obtain a statement as to what inducements were held out to these prisoners to give evidence for the Times; and how long it was intended to keep these two men at Millbank?

MR. MATTHEWS

The prisoners Mullett and Nally were received in a London prison, in order that they might be produced as witnesses before the Special Commission. I am informed by the Director of Convict Prisons that they were visited on the 4th inst. by Mr. Thompson, on behalf of Mr. Soames, who made the usual official application for the purpose. The hon. Member for South Mayo has also applied for permission to see Nally, and, it having been ascertained that his visit is in accordance with the usual rule, permission has been granted. The like permission will be granted to other persons, in accordance with the prison rules as to visits. The prisoners named will be detained so long as they may be required before the Special Commission.

SIR W. HARCOURT (Derby)

By whose orders and by what authority have Irish constables been placed at the disposal of the agents for the Times, as was sworn on the 26th by Constable Gallagher?

MR. SPEAKER

That does not arise immediately on the Question. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put the Question on the paper.

MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford N.)

By whose orders were the prisoners removed?

THE HOME SECRETARY

I presume by the orders of the prison authority in Ireland.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Have the Irish Prisons Board control over the English prisons, and can they furnish prisoners from the Irish for the English gaols at their will?

THE HOME SECRETARY

If the hon. Member wants general information as to these matters, I must ask for notice of the Question.

MR. T. M. HEALY

I ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether Head-constable Preston has not visited those prisoners continually on the part of the Times, and how it is that officer happens to be absent from his duties in Mayo I also wish to know whether a person named Tracey has been removed from Ireland and kept in prison in Millbank, and has there been visited by Head-constable Preston?

MR. BALFOUR

I never heard of it. If the hon. Gentleman will put the Question on the paper, I will make inquiry.

MR. T. M. HEALY

I ask the Home Secretary whether he has any information as to the visits of Head-constable Preston?

THE HOME SECRETARY

No; my information is inconsistent with the suggestion.

MR. J. F. X. O'BRIEN (Mayo, S.)

When am I likely to get permission to visit Nally? I asked for it on the 21st instant.

THE HOME SECRETARY

The authority is on its way. Reference was made to the prison authorities, and as soon as it was found that Nally was entitled to receive a visitor, the permission was given.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that these two men have been visited by nobody except by persons entitled under the prison rules to visit them?

THE HOME SECRETARY

I have given the hon. Gentleman all the information I can on the subject.