§ MR. T. L. CORBETT (Down, N.)I beg to ask the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the inquest held at Kensington on Miss E. Tibworth, who died in a convent at Notting Hill on Friday; whether the coroner said it was important to know something of the inner working of this place, which was more or loss outside the law; and whether he intends to take any steps to obtain such information.
§ MR. GLADSTONEsaid his attention had been drawn to the case, and he thought the hon. Member had correctly quoted the words of the coroner, who made an exhaustive inquiry into all the circumstances connected with the death of this lady. According to the medical evidence the death was due to syncope, and there was no sign of poisoning, and the jury returned a verdict in accordance 1714 with the medical evidence. Therefore he saw no reason to make any inquiry.
§ MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)I asked the right hon. Gentleman whether his attention had been called to the evidence of the doctor, who was not a Roman Catholic, but who bore testimony to the charity of the members of this congregation and to the good work they were doing; and that the coroner himself said he was delighted to hear it.
§ MR. GLADSTONEsaid he had only got the Report which he held in his hand. The inquiry was of an entirely satisfactory character.
§ MR. T. L. CORBETTpressed the right hon. Gentleman to say whether he intended to take any action on the coroner's words that these institutions were more or less outside the law.
§ MR. GLADSTONEreplied that he would be guided by the verdict of the jury.