§ 19. Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEasked the Home Secretary how many prisoners there are now serving sentences in English convict prisons who were convicted by civil Courts or courts-martial in Ireland; how many are serving life sentences; what authority is paying for their maintenance; and whether he has satisfied himself by a review of the circumstances of their trial and conviction that their punishment should be continued?
Mr. HENDERSONThe answer to the first part of the question is 75, and to the second part, seven. The cost of the detention of these prisoners is charged in the first instance to the Vote for Prisons, but in the case of prisoners from Northern Ireland is recovered from the Northern Ireland Government. As regards the last part of the question, in the case of prisoners convicted of offences in Northern Ireland the responsibility rests with the Northern Ireland Government. The cases of the ethers, who were with one exception serving members of His Majesty's forces at the date of conviction, are reviewed from time to time.
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEIn view of that answer, can the right hon. Gentleman say under what authority these prisoners were brought from Ireland to this country?
§ 20. Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEasked the Home Secretary whether he will give particulars of the cases of the three prisoners, Rogers, O'Boyle and Conlin, who were convicted in Ireland, and are at present imprisoned in England?
Mr. HENDERSONThese men were convicted of murder, and sentenced to death by General Court-martial at Belfast in April, 1921. Their sentences were commuted to penal servitude for life.