§ MR. HOWORTH (Salford, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Mr. Ellis Lever, against whom an action is pending for corrupting the late Gas Manager of Salford by offering him bribes, has been permitted to have a private interview with that person while in prison; and if such permission is in accordance with the Prison Rules?
§ MR. MATTHEWSYes, Sir; the Prison Commissioners granted an order to a solicitor, Mr. Godfrey Rhodes, and his client, Mr. Lever, to visit Hunter in prison, a representation having been made to them in writing by the solicitor that the prisoner was a material witness for the defendant in the action, and that the visit was necessary in the interests of justice. I am informed that the permission was in accordance with the Prison Rules.
§ MR. HOWELL (Bethnal Green, N.E)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that no charge of corruption has been made against Mr. Lever, except by the man Hunter, who is now in gaol? Does not the charge, at the present moment, absolutely rest on the statement made by Hunter?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI have not received any evidence in regard to Mr. Lever which enables mo to answer that question offhand.