§ 93. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether an undertaking was given by the Irish Government that prisoners whose offences were definitely political should be treated under the rules known in England as the Churchill rules; how many prisoners at present in confinement are receiving the benefit of this treatment; whether such treatment, once accorded, has been in any case withdrawn; if so, in how many instances, for what periods, and for what reasons; and whether any difference is made in respect of such treatment between the different gaols in which political prisoners are confined?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe Churchill rule was promulgated in Ireland on 24th October, 1910, by the Irish Government, and since that date it has been automati- 1129 cally and invariably applied in all appropriate cases; 63 prisoners are receiving special ameliorative treatment, involving more extensive privileges than could be granted under the Churchill rule. This special treatment is applicable to all prisoners who in the popular phrase are "political prisoners," and who have not been guilty of acts which are criminal per se. Ameliorations have been withdrawn for misconduct in 282 cases, in 101 of which ameliorations were restored within periods varying from seven days to five and a half months. The treatment is uniform as far as possible, consistent with varied structural and other circumstances of different prisons.