§ 12. Lord HENRY CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Home Secretary whether it is intended that the Irish prisoners transported from Ireland to Maidstone gaol shall continue to serve their sentences there; and, in view of the fact that some of them are serving life sentences, will he arrange that the relatives of these prisoners shall be granted free passes to visit them at the intervals prescribed for visits to prisoners?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThere is no present intention of transferring these prisoners from Maidstone to another prison. As to the second part of the question, there are no means at my disposal for paying the expenses incurred by the relatives of convicts in visiting them.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKIs it not usual to allow access to the relatives of prisoners? Could not the right hon. Gentleman arrange for the same facilities to be given here?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThey have access already.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKWhat about free passes?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSFree passes certainly mean expense. I have no means at my disposal to pay the railway companies for passes.
§ Mr. J. JONESIs it not a fact that an Irish prisoner serving his sentence in an English gaol is practically derelict—with no friends?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI do not know what the hon. Gentleman means by being left derelict.
§ Mr. JONESI mean this. His relatives cannot afford to travel at their own expense from Ireland, most of them being poor people; therefore, it means that the relatives cannot visit any prisoner here like the relatives of an English prisoner can visit him.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThere is one excellent way to get over that difficulty, and that is not to be sent to prison.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODAs one who has been in gaol—[Interruption.]—I know what it is to be in gaol. As one who has been in gaol, and arising out of the Minister's answer, I should like to ask the Minister if it is not the case that they are keeping these prisoners here because there is no accommodation for them in Ireland? That being the case, is it not correct and just that the people in Ireland should have facility for visiting their friends who are jailed in this country.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have no power over any funds at all except in connection with this country, and I am not disposed to ask this Parliament to give me power to pay the expenses of Irishmen who wish to visit their people.
§ Mr. JONESIs not Northern Ireland part and parcel of Great Britain, and apart altogether from the Irish Free State?
§ Mr. STEPHENWould not the Minister make representations to the Government of Northern Ireland in respect to these men?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNo. I really cannot see why in this business we should give special facilities to these people which are not given to other prisoners.