§ 91. Mr. BYRNEasked the Home Secretary if any of the Irish prisoners have been removed from Dartmoor or Portland; if so, will he state the names of the prisoners removed and their destination; and if he has yet considered the advisability of allowing them to write and receive one letter a week?
Mr. SAMUELThree prisoners, Edward de Valera, Richard Hayes, and J. D. Fitzgerald, have been removed to Maidstone Prison. In answer to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the general reply I am giving to Question No. 102.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYCan the right hon. Gentleman say why they have been removed?
§ 92. Mr. BYRNEasked the Home Secretary if he will review the sentences inflicted on the two boys, Derrington and Crenigan, Irish prisoners, sentenced by courts-martial in Dublin; if both boys were under seventeen years of age when sentenced, and have now six months of their sentence completed; and if he will consider the boys' ages and order their release?
§ Mr. FORSTERI have nothing to add to the answer given the hon. Member on 13th July. That answer applies to the case of Crenigan as well as to that of Derrington.
§ Mr. BYRNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Home Secretary told me on that occasion that the question of the treatment of the boy Derrington would receive further consideration; and, having regard to the boy's age, can he not consider his release?
§ Mr. FORSTERI will look into it.
100. Mr. HAZLETONasked the Home Secretary how many persons sentenced by courts-martial for connection with the recent rebellion in Ireland are now undergoing penal servitude; in what prisons are they confined; and the number of such prisoners in each?
| Dartmoor | … | … | … | … | … | 62 |
| Portland | … | … | … | … | … | 57 |
| Maidstone | … | … | … | … | … | 3 |
| Aylesbury | … | … | … | … | … | 1 |
| 123 |
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYWas it for breaches of discipline that the three prisoners were removed from Dartmoor to-Maidstone?
102. Mr. HAZLETONasked the Home Secretary whether the prisoners undergoing sentences of penal servitude for connection with the recent rebellion in Ireland are allowed any intercourse with each other or are under strict rules of silence; whether they are allowed the use of writing materials other than slates and slate pencils; how often may they write-and receive letters; and how often may they receive visitors?
Mr. SAMUELI have had the general question of the treatment of these prisoners under consideration, and now that they have completed, or almost completed, six months of their sentences, I think some relaxation of the conditions may be conceded. In penal servitude prisons there are no classes corresponding to the First, Second, and Third Divisions in local prisons; but prisoners of industry and good conduct pass through successive stages, each stage being marked by the grant of some relaxation or privilege. I propose to group the Irish prisoners under penal servitude in one prison apart from all ordinary convicts and to give them the privileges of the later stages. Those who are accustomed to literary work have already been given facilities for writing on other than political matters, and will be allowed to take their compositions with them on discharge. They will now be allowed monthly visits and permission to-write and receive letters at intervals of 563 one month, and association at certain fixed hours, with permission to talk together so long as quiet and good order is maintained. These concessions will, of course, be conditional on good conduct. I further propose that the Irish prisoners under sentence of imprisonment in Wormwood Scrubs should be removed to another prison and should receive similar treatment.
§ Sir W. BYLESIs it not time to set these men free?