MR. PICKEESGILLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by whom the Treasury Solicitor was directed to defend an action brought against the Governor of Ipswich Gaol in respect of indignities inflicted on an untried prisoner, in which action, at Suffolk Assizes on Friday last, the jury awarded the plaintiff £75 damages; and, what is the total amount which will have to be paid out of public money in respect of this action?
§ MR. MATTHEWSThe Treasury Solicitor was directed to defend this 732 action by me on the recommendation of the Prison Commissioners in accordance with the usual practice when an action is brought against a public servant for acts done in the execution of his office. The question whether any public money will be paid in respect of this action depends upon the decision which the Treasury may come to, upon the advice of the Home Office, after considering the evidence and all the circumstances of the case.