§ DR. AMBROSE (Mayo, W.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that Mr. James Ward, who is undergoing a term of imprisonment in Castlebar Gaol for seditious libel, was on April 23rd unanimously co-opted a member of the Castlebar Urban Council; that the clerk to the council immediately proceeded to the prison, with a view to get Mr. Ward to sign his declaration of acceptance of office, and that he was prevented doing so by; the prison officials; is he aware that Mr. Ward was also prevented signing his franchise paper, thereby rendering it impossible for him to be elected a county councillor this year; and will he explain why the prison officials took that course, and why the Prison Board have not given any reason for such action on the part of the officials.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I understand that the fact is as stated in the first part of the Question. The prison governor informed the clerk of the council that he had no authority to allow him to visit Mr. Ward for the purpose mentioned, but that he (the clerk) should apply to the General Prisons Board for the necessary permission. The clerk applied accordingly, and the board in due course gave the necessary authority to the governor, but, owing to a clerical oversight, for which the board express regret, they omitted to inform the clerk of the council of the result of his application. I am advised that, as Mr. Ward did not accept 340 office, another casual vacancy has been created, and there is nothing to prevent Mr. Ward from being again co-opted. I am informed that it is not the fact that Mr. Ward was prevented by the prison officials from signing his franchise paper. The paper was handed to him, but he refused to fill it up, stating that he was not a householder.