§ Mr. M. HEALYasked the Home Secretary whether Mr. Michael Lynch, imprisoned at Frongoch, has become seriously ill owing to the conditions of his imprisonment; whether he was until recently compelled to sleep with a number of other prisoners in a room lighted and ventilated only by skylights which cannot be kept open at night, the beds being directly beneath them; whether, owing to the want of proper ventilation, sore throats have become frequent; whether,, in view of the state of his health, Mr. Lynch will now be released; and, if not, whether his family doctor will be permitted to visit him?
Mr. H. SAMUELI have obtained a medical report by telegram which says that Michael Lynch is in good health, and that the throat condition from which he suffered before internment has not grown worse, nor is it due to the dormitory. He was in hospital from the 10th to the 22nd' October, suffering from a cold, and was then discharged cured. I have not yet been informed in which dormitory Lynch slept, but the only one in use which has no side windows has eight opening skylights and two roof ventilators. As regards the third part of the question, I have called for a written report, which has not yet reached me. The reply to the fourth and fifth parts is in the negative.
§ Mr. BYRNEasked the Home Secretary if he will state the decision of the courts-martial on Patrick Daly, an untried Irish prisoner at Frongoch camp; and what was the charge against him?
Mr. SAMUELI am informed by the military authorities that Daly was sentenced by the disciplinary military court, which dealt with his case, to be imprisoned for fifty-six days without hard labour. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 19th October in reply to a similar question.
§ Mr. BYRNEasked the Home Secretary if, in cases of sickness., death, or questions of important urgent business Irish prisoners in internment camps will be allowed out on parole to visit their friends if they give an undertaking to return to camp within a stated time; and if he is 233W aware that this concession is granted to interned Germans in camps in the United Kingdom?
Mr. SAMUELTemporary release on parole is allowed to Irish prisoners for the purpose of seeing near relatives who are dangerously ill. It cannot, as a rule, be allowed for the purpose of attending funerals or for private business. This corresponds, generally speaking, to the practice with regard to interned Germans.