§ 59. Mr. BYRNEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any official in Government service under the control of the commandant at Frongoch camp has committed suicide within the past ten days; if he will say when the 1605 present conditions at Frongoch Camp will cease; and if any of the Irish prisoners will be released before Christmas?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir George Cave)The first part of the question apparently refers to the suicide, which I mentioned yesterday, of the senior medical officer at Frongoch Camp, whose mind appears to have been unhinged by the false charges made against him and his staff. As to the second part of the question, I have already stated that I am inquiring into the conditions at Frongoch Camp. As to the third part of the question, I refer to the statement made yesterday on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary for Ireland.
§ Mr. BYRNEAs regards this charge, has the right hon. Gentleman's Department received a letter from the prisoners asking for an inquiry? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the prisoners are prepared to prove that the doctor's death was caused owing to the conditions laid down by the commandant?
§ Sir G. CAVENo, Sir. I certainly have heard nothing of the sort; but the commandant has asked for an inquiry.
§ Sir G. CAVEI do not think so, so far as I have heard.
§ Mr. BYRNEI am informed that they wrote asking for an inquiry, and I ask that the communication should be read.
Mr. GIN NELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this case is precisely identical with that which occurred at Tullamore a few years ago, when the prison doctor was forced to an act of cruelty towards a prisoner which resulted in the prisoner's death, and the doctor thereupon committed suicide? Is not that exactly what has been repeated at Frongoch?
§ Sir G. CAVENo.