MR. T. M. HEALYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if it is under Section 31 of "The Prisons Act, 1877," that the Irish Prisons Board handed over Richmond Prison to the War Department; if so, in whom is the property now vested, and under what conditions; was there a deed of grant or assignment; and, if so, where can it be inspected; was the Dublin Corporation, which expended £110,000 on the prison, consulted; and would it be possible to present to Parliament any Papers or correspondence exhibiting a view of the transaction between the Prisons Board and the War Department?
MR. J. MORLEYIt was under Section 31 of the Prisons Act, 1877, that the Irish Prisons Board handed over Richmond Prison to the War Department, in whom it is now vested, subject to the payment by that Department of an annual ground rent of £137 4s. 4d. for such period as the Secretary of State for War may deem expedient. There is no deed or grant of assignment as suggested in the question, nor was the Dublin Corporation consulted in the matter—no such step having been required either in England or Ireland on the closing of a prison under the Act of 1877. With regard to the final paragraph, I would draw my hon. and learned Friend's attention to the Parliamentary Return No. 343 of 1892, containing a statement of the circumstances connected with the closing of the Richmond Prison, and Return No. 14, Session 3 of same year, prepared at the War Office, relative to expenditure on the prison.
MR. T. M. HEALYIf there was no deed of assignment the War Office are tenants at will, and can be ejected at any time by the Prisons Board.