§ 63. Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked the Home Secretary whether the case of James Flanagan, one of the Irish prisoners at Frongoch, has been considered by the Advisory Committee; and, if so, what has been the decision come to on it?
Mr. SAMUELThere is record of two persons of this name. One James Flanagan, of Oranmore, county Wexford, was released on the 13th July. With respect to the other James Flanagan, of 40, Belvedere Road, Dublin, the Advisory Committee recommend that he be retained in internment.
§ 64. Mr. BYRNEasked the Home Secretary whether the 570 prisoners at Fron- 302 goch, and ordered to be interned, will have any opportunity of a civil trial; if they will be allowed to instruct counsel for their defence; and if he will say why they were denied counsel when before the Advisory Committee?
Mr. SAMUELThe men referred to in the question have had a full opportunity of stating their cases before the Advisory Committee, and they were allowed to have legal assistance beforehand. I informed the hon. Member on the 29th June that the Advisory Committee had decided not to avail themselves of the assistance of legal advisers as advocates.
§ Mr. BYRNEArising out of that answer, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Advisory Committee dealt with 100 cases per day, and can he say what legal assistance would be given to men at that rate?
Mr. SAMUELThere was a solicitor— indeed, more than one solicitor—who advised a very considerable number of them.
§ Mr. FLAVINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the principal evidence before the Advisory Committee against these persons was the statement of a police officer or constable who was not present; that the prisoners had no means of knowing what were the charges against them, and, therefore, it was quite impossible to meet them; is he further aware that a number of these men are still retained, not from any evidence before the Advisory Committee, but simply because they are members of the Irish Volunteers, and are men who never, in any shape or form, took part in the rebellion?
Mr. SAMUELNo one has been retained whose case was not so recommended by the Advisory Committee. I do not think the hon. Member has been rightly informed as to the procedure of the Committee.
Mr. SAMUELThat question has been dealt with again and again in Debate, and during the Debate I have answered it.
§ Mr. FLAVINCan the right hon Gentleman say even now what are the intentions of the Government as to those men? 303 Are they to be interned for an indefinite period, or are they to be given any form of public or judicial trial?