§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he can state by whom the information was given that the late P. W. Nally was engaged in a plot to escape, which led to his transfer from Mountjoy to Downpatrick Prison in 1886; and was the Governor of Mountjoy Prison aware of the matter before it was communicated to him by the Castle authorities?
§ MR. MADDEN (who replied)The information sought for by the hon. Member in the question is of such a character that it is never divulged by the Government, and would not be by any Government.
§ DR. TANNERAm I to understand from the right hon. Gentleman that he cannot say where this information was obtained, whether inside or outside the gaol? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a certain stigma attaching to poor innocent people in connection with this subject?
§ MR. MADDENI have already stated that, whatever the hon. Member's motives may be in connection with the matter, any information of this kind no Government can divulge.
§ DR. TANNERI will raise this subject on the Estimates.