§ 30. Mr. LARDNERasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that prisoners undergoing sentence in Ireland are not allowed to sign memorials to the Lord Lieutenant praying for a review of their sentences sent to them by their legal advisers; and will he state under what Regulation the prison authorities are empowered to refuse to submit such documents to prisoners under their charge, and what provision is made to enable memorials to be prepared in the case of illiterate prisoners who may desire to have their cases considered by the Lord Lieutenant?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am aware that prisoners undergoing sentence in Ireland are not allowed to sign memorials to the Lord Lieutenant prepared by persons outside the prison on their behalf, but it is open to any prisoner to submit a memorial on his own behalf. A similar practice, I understand, obtains in English prisons. In the case of illiterate prisoners who may desire to have their cases considered by the Lord Lieutenant a prison officer is detailed to take down the memorial from the prisoner's dictation.