HC Deb 07 March 1889 vol 333 cc1146-7
MR. WILLIAM CORBET

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland is it true, as stated in the public Press, that the Rev. Father Clarke, of Avoca, now undergoing sentence of six weeks' imprisonment in Wexford Gaol for a speech made by him at a public meeting, has been put on bread and water for two terms of 24 hours each; and if he can state why such punishment has been inflicted on the reverend gentleman, and by what authority?

MR. SEXTON

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether Rev. J. Clarke, C.C., now a prisoner in Wexford Gaol, has been ordered to pick oakum in his cell, and to associate with criminals at exercise, and has been sentenced by the prison officials to two terms of 24 hours each on bread and water; whether these proceedings are sanctioned by the Government; and whether it is determined that ecclesiastics, though not called upon to wear the prison clothes, are to be required to pick oakum and to associate with criminals?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The General Prisons Board report that the Rev. J. Clarke was, in accordance with the prison rules, assigned the task of picking oakum, but that neither he nor any other prisoner is permitted to associate with or her convicted prisoners. He was ordered by the governor to be placed on punishment diet as indicated in the Question, by reason of his neglect to perform the task assigned. The proceedings were not sanctioned by the Government, but under the requirements of the prison rules.

MR. SEXTON

I should like to know whether the rev. gentleman is actually suffering two terms of imprisonment; whether he has to wear prison clothes, and whether, if not, he is to exercise in company with those wearing convict garb?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The phrase constantly used by hon. Gentlemen that prisoners are exercised with other prisoners is a misleading one, as no communication is allowed between them and they are not allowed to walk close together. As to whether I will use such authority as I possess to make further mitigation of prison rules in the case of priests, it appears to me that enough has been done in that direction; and for what I have already done I have not received any great amount of gratitude.