HC Deb 06 May 1920 vol 128 cc2211-3
22. Captain FOXCROFT

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether among the prisoners released from Mountjoy prison, Dublin, as a result of the hunger strike, were any persons convicted of offences against the law?

Mr. HENRY

The prisoners released from Mountjoy Prison, as a result of hunger strike, included thirty-four persons convicted of offences against the law.

Colonel ASHLEY

Is the Government going to continue to release men who hunger strike and who have been convicted for serious offences connected with the law? If that is so, what guarantee is there that the law will ever be carried out?

Mr. HENRY

There is a later question, the answer to which reviews the circumstances in which the releases took place.

Mr. MOLES

May I ask whether it is intended to re-arrest those who have been improperly released?

Mr. HENRY

That is a matter to be considered later on.

Sir J. BUTCHER

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether, in the case of convicted criminals, steps will be taken to get them into gaol again as soon as they are well enough to go back again?

55. Mr. PALMER

asked the Prime Minister whether, in connection with the release of 66 prisoners from Mountjoy on 14th April, following a hunger strike of Sinn Fein subjects, he can say if any written instructions for their release were issued by the Lord Lieutenant to the governor of the gaol; whether in fact the first order for release was carried verbally from the Viceroy to the governor by the Lord Mayor of Dublin; and whether, as a result of the confusion arising from the absence of explicit instructions, a number of prisoners who had been convicted of crimes and were serving their sentences were amongst those set free?

Mr. HENRY

No verbal instructions were given. Written directions from the Lord Lieutenant were conveyed to the governor of the prison by the Lord Mayor. It was not the Lord Lieutenant's intention that the instructions should apply to convicted prisoners, but that fact, con- sidered obvious, was not expressly stated in the instructions. The governor of the prison unfortunately applied the directions to all prisoners, and as a result a number of convicted men were erroneously discharged.

Colonel ASHLEY

Are we to understand that in future convicted prisoners will not be released if they go on hunger strike?

Mr. HENRY

So far as I am aware that is the intention of the Government.

Major O'NEILL

May I ask the Leader of the House, in view of the statements he has made on the subject, whether it is still a fact that these people—the people released—are being kept under some form of restraint? Is it the intention of the Government so to keep them?

Mr. BONAR LAW (Leader of the House)

I do not remember the exact words, but a full statement of the intentions of the Government has been given by me; to that we still adhere.

Mr. PALMER

Is it not the fact that in addition to written instructions there were verbal instructions that led to the confusion?

Mr. HENRY

The answer I have read stated that no verbal instructions were given.