HC Deb 11 June 1903 vol 123 cc647-8
MR. WILLIAM M'KILLOP (Sligo, N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can now communicate to the House the result of his inquiries into the prison treatment of the hon. Member for North Leitrim.

MR. WYNDHAM

The hon. Member in question has been granted by the visiting committee of Sligo Prison all the rights and privileges to which he is entitled as a misdemeanant of the first division, and which it was in the power of the committee to grant. These privileges will be found enumerated in Parliamentary Papers Nos. 129 and 189 of 1902. In addition he has been allowed, on the recommendation of the medical officer, the use of tobacco and two hours' extra exercise daily. He has also been transferred to a well-lighted room in the hospital wing of the prison, and permitted the use of gas until ten o'clock nightly.

MR. DELANY

Is it not a fact that these privileges were at first refused?

MR. WYNDHAM

It would not be accurate to say that Mr. M'Hugh was first put in an ill-lighted cell and has since been placed in a well-lighted room.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

What will be the term of his imprisonment?

MR. WYNDHAM

As the hon. Member is aware, that rests entirely with the Judge who committed him.

MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)

It is in fact unlimited.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Will the right hon. Gentleman communicate with the Judge—

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! That does not arise out of the Question on the Paper.