§ MR. LABOUCHEREI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, inasmuch as the result of a recent trial at the Liverpool Assizes respecting the killing of William H. Gatcliffe, a prisoner in Strange ways Gaol, Manchester, by breaking six of his ribs and his breast bone, was merely of a negative nature in regard to the single person then accused of the manslaughter, and inasmuch as it is of great importance to ascertain who did kill the said prisoner, and whether there was any miscarriage of justice at the Assize trial, he will institute an impartial public inquiry into the whole matter in order to arrive at some definite conclusion?
§ MR. MATTHEWSAt the recent trial at the Liverpool Assizes the whole subject of Gatcliffe's death was fully inquired into, and every witness who could throw light on the facts was examined, including some who are no longer available. I cannot say that the result of that trial was wholly satisfac- 870 tory, but it is not possible now to reverse or go behind the verdict of the jury. I have since had the fullest and most careful inquiry made by the Prison Commissioners and the Prisons Inspector, Captain Wilson, and I am satisfied that nothing can be elicited as to the cause of Gatcliffe's death that was not disclosed to the jury. I have made changes in the staff and administrative arrangements of the prison which will, I trust, prevent the possibility of any such occurrence happening again.