§ Mr. MAURICE HEALYasked the Home Secretary whether Mr. Jeremiah Lynch, at present imprisoned in Dartmoor, who was sentenced in connection with the recent rising in Dublin, has been deprived of flannels though ordered to wear them by his doctor; whether the prison doctor has sanctioned this deprivation; whether, owing to impaired digestion, he is unable to eat the food supplied at dinner and has to eat the remains of the porridge sup- 620W plied at breakfast; and whether a medical report as to this prisoner's health will be called for?
Mr. SAMUELThis prisoner was supplied with flannel underclothing on reception, and has made no request for alteration or addition to his clothing. An alteration of his diet has been made on the recommendation of the medical officer. One pint of porridge is served to him at dinner in lieu of meat which he does not care for and which he returned. The medical officer reports that apart from digestive trouble his general health is satisfactory.
§ Mr. DUFFYasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the view held generally in Ireland that the continued imprisonment of political prisoners at Frongoch is a fruitful policy leading to unrest and exasperation, and certain to keep open the sore created by the Easter Week disturbances in Ireland; whether representations have been made to him respecting the cases of John Kilkelly, John Glyn, Patrick Hansberry, John Burke, John Whelan, and David Hanlon, from the Kinvarra district, county Gal-way; and whether he will review their cases with a view to their discharge?
Mr. SAMUELWith regard to the first part of the question, I v, would refer the hon. Member to what my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary and I said in the course of the Debate on 18th October. With regard to the second part, I had received no representations about the men mentioned before the question appeared on the Paper; but their cases are now being dealt with in accordance with the general statement which I made in this House on 10th October in reply to a question by the hon. Member for North Galway.
Mr. HAZLETONasked the Home Secretary if he will make a classified statement of the kinds of work imposed on the prisoners now in penal servitude as a result of being sentenced by courts-martial for connection with the recent rebellion in Ireland?
Mr. SAMUELThe prisoners at port-land are employed on—
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Coal sack making … … 25 Horse halter making … … 6 Mailbag making … … 22 In hospital … … 4 Bookbinding … … 3 57
Those at Dartmoor on— Mailbag making … … 40 Halter making … … 18 In hospital … … 4 62 and 3 at Maidstone on bookbinding.
§ Mr. LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary whether, having regard to the larger interests of public policy, he will pass in review the whole situation of Irish prisoners still incarcerated in connection with the Dublin rebellion; and whether, if he discovers that the present policy of the Government is tending in the opposite direction to that aimed at, he will advise as to the best solution, the withdrawal of martial law, and the proclamation of a general amnesty?
§ Mr. DUKEEvery case of an untried prisoner has been reported on, and some have now been released with proper guarantees for public security. I hope the number will be largely increased. As to the larger question of policy to which the hon. Member refers, I would refer him to the statement of the Prime Minister in Debate on the 18th October last.
§ Mr. LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary whether he can state the names of all the prisoners, natives of county Clare or arrested in county Clare, in connection with the Dublin rebellion; whether, considering that no disturbance of any kind happened in Clare, he will advise the Government to release these men at once?
§ Mr. DUKEI am unable to identify with any certainty the prisoners to whom the question refers. It is the fact that there was no rising in county Clare. The cases of all the men now interned have been considered by the Advisory Committee, and they are under further consideration with those of the general body of interned men at the present time.