HC Deb 20 March 1890 vol 342 cc1245-6
DR. TANNER

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the fjord Lieutenant of Ireland what are the number of baths now available for the use of prisoners in Cloumel Gaol; how long have they been in use; whether any recommendations have been made respecting the existing sanitary arrangements in the gaol in question, and if any improvement or alteration in the system will be carried out; and, if so, when; and if it is the intention of the Prisons Board to sanction the expenditure necessary to secure the improvements requisite and recommended for the repair and ventilation of cells in Clonmel Gaol?

* MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The General Prisons Board report that Clonmel Prison when handed over to them in 1878 contained two baths. Since then two more have been constructed, and four additional ones are in course of construction. The Board have no knowledge of the recommendations referred to in the third paragraph. They state that the ventilation of the cells in this prison has lately been improved by them. They have also made provision in the estimate for next year for other sanitary improvements and alterations in the prison.

DR. TANNER

Is it not the fact that during the whole of last year, when this prison was completely filled, there was only one bath in the main body of the prison, including the hospital, and that the bath in the hospital was seldom, if ever, used? May I also ask whether the defective sanitary arrangements of the prison have not been brought under the notice of the Visitors recently?

* MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am afraid that I am not in a position to give any further answer to the questions of the hon. Member without notice.

MR. J. O'CONNOR

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the spring of 1882 some 23 or 24 prisoners were removed from Naas and Kilmainham Prisons in consequence of the prevalence of typhoid fever, owing to defective sanitary arrangements?

* MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I was not aware of it, and it has certainly a very distant connection with the question of the hon. Member for Mid Cork (Dr. Tanner).

DR. TANNER

May I ask which side of the prison has been improved; which wing?

* MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The hon. Member must give notice of the question. He enjoys a knowledge of the Irish prisons which I do not possess.