HC Deb 20 November 1893 vol 18 c1283
COLONEL NOLAN

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it has come to his knowledge that a prisoner named Callaghan, confined for about l0 years and at present in Portland Convict Prison, has lost the sight of one of his eyes; was Callaghan visited by an oculist; and, if so, when and what were the terms of his Report; has any operation been performed as a result of that Report, or is it contemplated to remove the sightless eye; and whether, in consequence of the condition of this prisoner's sight, he contemplates releasing him before he becomes completely blind?

MR. ASQUTTH

Mr. Du Boulay, assisted by Dr. Randall, R.N., and Dr Lawson, of Portland, operated on the 22nd July last on the prisoner by removing his left eye. The result of the operation was perfectly satisfactory. A report made on Saturday last states that the prisoner is in very good health, and has suffered no pain or discomfort from his eyes since the left disorganised eyeball was removed. He has shown no signs of sympathetic irritation in the right eye, and its vision is as good as it was three years ago.

COLONEL NOLAN

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last part of my question.

MR. ASQUITH

It is not at all true that the prisoner is becoming completely blind. On the contrary, the sight of the other eye is not affected.