HC Deb 28 June 1906 vol 159 cc1149-50
MR. J. P. FARRELL (Longford, N.)

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether petitions for the release of a prisoner are filed or reconsidered at stated intervals; and, if so, whether a petition recently dealt with in the case of James M'Cann, of county Longford, will be again taken into consideration by the law officers of the Crown.

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. CHERRY,) Liverpool, Exchange

All memorials for the release of a prisoner are filed. The cases of all convicts undergoing long sentences are periodically submitted for consideration in accordance with the regulations. James M'Cann's sentence being one of three years penal servitude only there is no rule under which his case would be reconsidered. It is, of course, optional with the convict or any one on his behalf to forward a memorial at any time, and such memorial will be laid before the Lord-Lieutenant for his decision. It is not a matter with which the law officers of the Crown can properly interfere.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

By whom are the memorials considered—by the law officers of the Crown?

MR. CHERRY

No. They are considered by the Lord-Lieutenant himself.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Does not the Lord-Lieutenant act on legal advice?

MR. SPEAKER

Notice should be given of that Question.

MR. J. P. FARRELL

Was it not the Lords Justices who refused the prayer of the petition in this case?

MR. CHERRY

was understood to say that in the absence of the Lord-Lieutenant for Ireland the Lords Justices might consider such matters, but the law officers of the Crown never intervened in such cases. He knew nothing of the case.

MR. J. P. FARRELL

It was by your direction the man was prosecuted.

MR. CHERRY

After a conviction a case passes entirely out of the domain of the law officers.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Does the Lord-Lieutenant personally consider these cases?

MR. SPEAKER

Notice had better be given of that.