§ MR. DAVITTI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether his attention has been drawn to the inquest on a boy named William 32 Cooper; (2) whether he is aware that it was proved at the inquest that, on his admission to Norwich Prison, he was examined by the medical officer and certified as strong enough to be placed on hard labour, and was kept to the tread wheel until 10th October, when he complained of being unwell, but was compelled to resume the task of treading the wheel; and, on further complaining of illness, his bed was taken from him, and he was subsequently found dead, in a naked condition, on the cell floor; and (3) whether he will lay upon the Table of the House the particulars of the inquiries which he has instituted into this case?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTThe hon. Member is, perhaps, unaware that I answered a Question about this case on the 21st February, when I stated there was no reason for supposing that the prisoner's death was the result of his work on the tread wheel. The evidence given at the inquest does not altogether bear out the statements in the second paragraph of the Question, and the coroner expressed the opinion that there did not appear to have been any undue violence or unkind treatment. I see no sufficient ground for laying on the Table the particulars of my inquiry.
§ MR. DAVITTIs it not the fact that the prison doctor certified that the boy on entering the gaol was in good health and fit for hard labour?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTI believe that was so, or he would not have been put to hard labour. But some occult disease, unfortunately, led to the lad's death.
§ MR. DAVITTIs it not the case that the boy was kept at the treadmill after he complained of the effect on his health?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTNo details appear in the puiblished reports, but I have stated what the opinion of the coroner was upon the inquiry.
§ MR. DAVITTI will ask whether, after what has occurred, the working of the treadmill in this prison will be discontinued?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTThere is no reason to believe that it will be, but, as the hon. Gentleman is aware, the use of it in prisons generally is being discontinued as far as possible.
§ MR. J. REDMONDWith reference to this boy Cooper, who was certified as fit for hard labour by the prison doctor, and was subsequently found dead in his cell, the right hon. Gentleman says he died from some occult disease. What was that disease?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTThe hon. Member will have the opportunity of seeing the newspaper report.
§ MR. J. REDMONDI do not want the newspaper report.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTI am not able to give full details at the present moment; but the coroner was satisfied that the death was not due to any unkindness or ill-treatment on the part of the prison officials. I had an inquiry made on the spot by the chief medical inspector, and I am fully satisfied with the result of the coroner's inquiry.
§ MR. J. REDMONDI hope the right hon. Gentleman will not think me discourteous in refusing to accept a newspaper report when I have the responsible Minister to give an answer. I want to know what the boy died of.
§ DR. C. K. D. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)What was the determining cause of death as given in the medical certificate?
§ [No reply.]
MR. P. O'BRIENAre the treadmills being used by any of the numerous members of the aristocracy who are now in our prisons?
§ [No reply.]