§ Sir R. Youngasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what happens to the property of men or women in businesses of their own as nurserymen when arrested and detained for alleged actions injurious to the welfare of the State; what provision is made in such cases for the upkeep of the business, the sustenance of wife and/or children, the sale of produce and payments received; and whether those of British nationality, such as a wife or son left in the business are given any say in the disposal of the produce of the nursery and its value?
1995W
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI recognise that the detention of any person may involve financial losses and difficulties or hardships for the dependants, but I am not aware of any reason why the dependants should be under any disability in respect of the particular matters mentioned. If my hon. Friend has some particular case in mind, I shall be glad if he will communicate with me.
§ Mr. Stokesasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the suppression of letters addressed by persons detained under Regulation 18B to Members of this House; and whether this was done with his approval?
§ Mr. MorrisonI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Forfar (Captain Shaw) on 17th October.
Captain Shawasked the Home Secretary whether he will consider revising the procedure of the appeal tribunal dealing with persons detained under Defence of the Realm Regulation 18B so as to bring the procedure more into conformity with ordinary British legal procedure?
§ Mr. PeakeThe question of the procedure of this committee was carefully considered at the time when Defence Regulation 18B was framed. The Regulation provides that it shall be the duty of the chairman to inform the objector of the grounds on which the order has been made against him and to furnish him with such particulars as are in the opinion of the chairman sufficient to enable him to present his case. Subject to this requirement the procedure to be followed is left to the discretion of the committee. It would not be practicable that the procedure should be the same as that followed in a criminal trial, but my right hon. Friend is satisfied that the experienced lawyers who preside over the divisions of this committee take the utmost care to ensure that the person detained shall have the fullest opportunity of presenting his case, and that his examination by the committee shall be conducted with scrupulous fairness.
§ Mr. Stokesasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the practice of detaining persons under Section 18B because, prior to detention, they had intended to retard investment in 1996W War Loan; and on what grounds he considers this a good and sufficient reason?
§ Mr. PeakeI am not aware of any case of the kind to which my hon. Friend refers, but if he will give me particulars of any case which he has in mind I will make inquiries.
§ Major Milnerasked the Home Secretary what advisory or other committee consider detentions under Defence Regulation 20A; how many have been detained under that Regulation; and how many have been released?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI presume my hon. Friend refers to Article 125A of the Aliens Order which is made under the Defence Regulation referred to. An Interdepartmental Committee under the chairman ship of Sir Francis Lindley has been investigating the cases of persons detained under this article which are referred to it as the result of representations made by representatives of foreign Governments. This Committee is about to be reconstituted and will deal with cases referred to it by the Home Secretary. 895 orders have been made for detention and 287 persons have been released.
§ Mr. Harveyasked the Home Secretary how many women are at present detained in Holloway Prison under Regulation 18B; whether he has considered the representations as to the unsuitability of this prison for such detention; and whether arrangements will be made for the internment of the persons concerned in more suitable conditions elsewhere?
§ Mr. PeakeThe number of women detained in this prison under Defence Regulation 18B is 192. There are, as my hon. Friend will realise, great difficulties at the present time in finding alternative accommodation which would be suitable and any further consideration of the question must be deferred until the Advisory Committee have completed their review of these cases and it is known what will be the total number remaining in detention. I visited the prison myself recently and satisfied myself that proper arrangements have been made for the treatment of these women. Credit is, I think, due to the Governor and his staff for the care and trouble that have been taken in connection with their accommodation and welfare.
§ Mr. Stokesasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that women detained 1997W in Holloway Gaol are locked up in solitary confinement during air raids in cells high above the ground; and whether he will make arrangements for their removal to a safer centre or, at least, for their removal to the ground floor or basement during periods of alerts?
§ Mr. PeakeMy hon. Friend is mistaken in suggesting that women detained in Holloway Prison are locked up during air raids. Prisoners are not kept on the top landings and cell doors are left open. As regards alternative accommodation, I, would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a Question by the hon. Member for the English Universities (Mr. Harvey).