MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been called to the inequality that prevails as regards the hours of work, the rate of pay, and the annual leave of the warders in English and Irish Convict Prisons; whether the hours of duty in Irish prisons average 80 per week, and are fixed at the pleasure of the 532 Governor of each prison; how many warders in Mountjoy Convict Prison asked for their annual leave in the year 1891, and how many obtained it; and whether the Government will consider the desirability of shortening the hours-of duty, and increasing the pay and the annual leave of the warders in Irish prisons, so as to put them on an equality in those respects with the warders in English prisons?
§ MR. JACKSONI daresay it is a fact that the hours of work and the rate of pay will not correspond in all respects in the English and Irish convict prisons. With regard to the annual leave, I am informed that a comparison of the rules shows that the leave is greater in Ireland than in England; and I am told that there is no case, where the circumstances have justified it, that leave has not been given. The hon. Member asks me how many warders have asked for and have-been granted annual leave in Mountjoy Convict Prison in 1891. I am told that there were fifty-two warders in Mountjoy Convict Prison who applied for annual leave in 1891. Of these forty-seven obtained leave, four obtained1 it when their turn on the rota arrived, and one was removed to another prison before leave was granted. So far as I can judge, there is nothing in the circumstances of the case to call for any alteration. Of course, the question of the hours of work and the rate of pay are questions upon which the Chancellor of the Exchequer may have something to say. I am not aware that there is any real grievance in the matter. In fact the matter, I believe, has been already considered.
MR. O'BRIENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the matter was considered some time ago, and that certain recommendations were made some years ago which have not been carried out yet? I further wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has any objection to allow warders in the convict prisons to come over from Ireland to give evidence before the Labour Commission; and whether he will give them a guarantee that they will not be punished by the Government when they go back for the evidence they may give?
§ *MR. JACKSONNo, Sir; I do not think that the labour performed by men in the position of warders in prisons in Ireland is a subject which should be brought before the Labour Commission.