§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Monaghan, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether Members of Parliament are entitled, as such, to visit and inspect prisons in Ireland, and to visit and question prisoners as to their treatment, on satisfying the Governors that they are Members of Parliament?
§ MR. MADDENThe General Prisons Board for Ireland report that no such privilege as that suggested in the question is accorded to Members of Parliament either by Statute or under the Prison Rules.
§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Members of Parliament are entitled, as such, to visit and inspect prisons in Great Britain, and to visit and question prisoners as to their treatment, on satisfying the Governors that they are Members of Parliament?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. MATTHEWS,) Birmingham, E.No, Sir, this exceptional right suggested in the question is not possessed by Members of this House.
§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI am informed that a Member of this House was informed not long since by the Governor of a prison that Members were allowed such visits.