HC Deb 24 February 1893 vol 9 cc313-4
MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that poison was administered to John Daly in Chatham by mistake, with the result that he suffered a severe illness; whether it is usual in such a case to make some remission of sentence to the prisoner; and whether any remission has been, or will be, made in the case of John Daly?

MR. ASQUITH

It is true that while John Daly was in Chatham Prison he suffered from taking a dose of belladonna, which was prescribed for him by the doctor. His illness was due to the abnormal strength of the tincture which had in mistake been supplied to the prison. The prison officials were entirely free from blame. The occurrence took place more than three years ago, and was fully inquired into by the Visitors of Chatham Prison, whose Report was laid before Parliament in 1890. Daly's health was not permanently affected, and it is not usual in a case of temporary illness caused by a pure misadventure to make any remission of a sentence. Every care is taken to adapt his treatment and prison work to his physical condition, and the state of his health is not such as to warrant any interference with his sentence.

MR. J. REDMOND (Waterford)

May I ask whether it is not the fact that two doses of belladonna were at different times administered to Daly of such strength as to be poisonous, and whether he was not in consequence brought to death's door?

MR. ASQUITH

I do not know as to the administration of two separate doses. If the hon. Member wants information on the point he can put a question on the Paper. Daly no doubt suffered severely, but he has recovered.

MR. W. REDMOND

I wish to ask whether, so far from the prison officials being free from blame, the apothecary who mixed the medicine was not dismissed from his post for having made the blunder?

MR. ASQUITH

The Report of the Visitors was to the effect that the prison officials were not to blame. I must ask for notice of any further question on the point.

MR. W. REDMOND

I beg to give notice that I will call further attention, as soon as an opportunity presents itself, to the fact that Daly has been brought to death's door by being given poison on two occasions, and that his continued imprisonment is likely to result in his death. I believe that if he is not released you will kill him.