§ Mr. GINNELL(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will specify the evidence alleged to have been discovered, or any evidence that the Irish political prisoners at Lewes under sentences of secret court-martial, intended on last Sunday week to commit any crime; on what pretext they were, both before and after that date, for more than a week, kept in solitary confinement in locked and unventilated cells in hot weather; can he name any sanitary authority willing to accept responsibility for sanctioning such action; on what pretext was the indignity of chains added to that of handcuffs; why this was not relaxed when passing through public places in England; whether it was feared that even the English populace would attempt rescue; whether the prisoners are now in solitary confinement in unventilated cells; whether a medical representative from any Allied or neutral state will be allowed to examine their treatment and condition; and whether he is aware that the release of those prisoners is of the most extreme urgency owing to the present situation in Ireland.
§ Sir G. CAVEI stated the main facts yesterday. Evidence of the intended outbreak after Mass was obtained from a written communication which was being passed between the prisoners, and a large number of them, on being asked if they would undertake to proceed to and from chapel in a quiet and orderly manner refused to give the promise. They were confined in their cells on account of their refusal to work and to obey the rules, but they would, in accordance with the usual practice, have been allowed exercise daily had they not themselves persistently refused to leave their cells for that purpose. The use of a light chain during removal is a necesary precaution to prevent escape or violence on the part of convicts; there was no danger of attempted rescue. The prisoners who are still mutinous are confined to well ventilated cells. There is no occasion for calling in any outside medical advice. As to the last part of the question I have no statement to make.
§ Mr. GINNELL(by Private Notice) asked the Chief Secretary whether he will now make a statement on the forcible suppression of public meetings organised in Ireland for the purpose of denouncing cruelty practised on Irish political 776 prisoners in England and the possible consequences of persisting in this forcible suppression?
§ Colonel BURNOn a point of Order. Is the hon. Member allowed to put ten questions and then occupy the time of the House by putting several questions by private notice?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Gentleman will notice that I did not call the last two questions of the hon. Member.
§ Mr. DUKEAll the assumptions in the question are erroneous. Meetings have been prohibited in Ireland only in cases where they appeared to have been arranged for the purpose of causing disorder.
§ Mr. GINNELLWas it not the police in every case who created the disorder?
§ Sir G. CAVENo, Sir!
§ Mr. GINNELLasked leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, "the prolonged incarceration of 126 Irish political prisoners in England under sentences of secret courts-martial, in solitary confinement in unventilated cells in hot weather; the prevention of them from attending Mass on Sundays; the brutality of chaining them in groups on transfer from place to place; the denial of their right of communicating with their friends; and the refusal to allow independent medical inspection of their condition." The pleasure of the House not having been signified, MR. SPEAKER called on those Members who supported the Motion to rise in their places, and, less than forty Members having accordingly risen, the House proceeded to the Orders of the Day.