§ MR. PICKERSGILLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has given permission to Dr. Bond, in conjunction with the medical officer of Holloway Prison, to examine a prisoner named Selina, Lady Scott, with a view to reporting to him upon the state of Lady Scott's health; and, if. so, upon what grounds has this permission been given?
§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYIt is the case that Lady Scott has been seen by Dr. Bond. As I have stated in the House on several occasions, the visiting committee have very large powers of granting visits in the case of first-class misdemeanants; and when the application that Dr. Bond might visit Lady Scott was received by the Prison Commissioners, it was referred by them to the committee, who allowed the visit. I am of opinion, however, that professional visits of this nature do not come within the rules, and I have given directions that all such applications in future shall be referred to me for my decision.