§ 47. Mr. W. O'BRIENasked why Messrs. Terence M'Swiney, Peadeer O'Hourihan, Joseph M'Bride, and two other Irish political prisoners detained in Wakefield prison, have been, contrary to his promise, cut off from all communication with their brother Irish prisoners and from association with one another; and whether this special harshness has any connection with 819 attempts by Members of Parliament to induce Irish political prisoners to assent to the partition of Ireland by promises of liberation from prison?
§ Mr. TENNANTI understand that these men are able to communicate with one another, but that they are accommodated separately from the rank and file of the prisoners. No "special harshness" is involved and the words seem to me inappropriate in this connection. I am not aware of any attempts or promises such as are referred to in the last part of the question.
§ Mr. GINNELLIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that a private gentleman visited all these prisons and canvassed all the prisoners in support of the project for the partition of Ireland and the unanimous answer he got was that they would rather stay all their lives in gaol?
§ Mr. TENNANTNo.