HC Deb 03 May 1898 vol 57 cc163-4
MR. HARRINGTON

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the present accommodation for Roman Catholic Divine service in the Military Prison, Arbour Hill, Dublin, was reported by Field Marshal Lord Roberts in February, 1897, as totally unsatisfactory; whether the War Office, upon receipt of this report, directed that a chapel should be provided for Roman Catholic worship; and what steps have since been taken to carry out this order?

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. J. POWELL WILLIAMS,) Birmingham, S.

My right honourable Friend has asked me to answer this Question. Improvement is considered desirable in the accommodation referred to, but it had to be excluded from this year's Estimates in favour of more urgent services. It will be considered with next year's Estimates.

MR. HARRINGTON

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether a communication was forwarded to him on 28th August, 1897, from the Roman Catholic chaplain of Arbour Hill Military Prison, Dublin, denying and disproving a statement affecting him in a Report of Colonel Garsin, Deputy Inspector of Military Prisons, to the War Office; whether the reverend gentleman demanded, that this statement affecting him should be withdrawn; and whether there has been any acknowledgment of his communication, or any step taken to secure the withdrawal of the statement in question, or substantiate it by evidence?

MR. POWELL WILLIAMS

I will ask my honourable Friend to postpone this Question till Friday. I am not sure that the communication has not been dealt with by Lord Roberts.