§ 64. Mr. J. O'CONNORasked the Home Secretary what is the procedure in respect to the hearing of appeals to the Advisory Committee when the same have been heard; is the decision of the Committee final, or do they merely recommend release or detention; if the latter, to whom is the recommendation made and what follows upon such; are the military and police of Ireland consulted or referred to before the release if the same be recommended; and will he state the real value and advantage of an appeal under 14 B of the Regulations under the Defence of the Realm Act?
Mr. SAMUELWith respect to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for East 1510 Mayo. The Committee make their recommendations to me, and the responsibility for the action taken rests with me. With regard to the last two points, the Advisory Committee take police and military evidence in cases where they consider it necessary; the advantage of the appeal to the prisoner is that it secures him a full hearing of all he has to say in favour of his release, and that release will normally follow if the Committee so recommend.
§ Mr. J. O'CONNORWhat time elapses between the recommendation of the Committee and the release, if release be recommended? I desire to know also, whether a police constable in Ireland has a veto upon the decision of the Committee?
Mr. SAMUELThe answer to the first part of the supplementary question is that the release would follow at once; and the answer to the second part is in the negative.
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYHave any recommendations been made to the right hon. Gentleman, and is it essential that these recommendations of the Committee should be unanimous?
Mr. SAMUELNo, Sir; it is not essential that they should be unanimous. A small number of recommendations for release have been made, and the men have been released.
§ Mr. BYRNEHas the right hon. Gentleman yet received any recommendations regarding the Irish lady prisoners who were tried by the Advisory Committee in Westminster Hall last Friday morning, and can he say when they will be released?
§ 65. Sir W. BYLESasked the Home Secretary, having regard to the number of entirely innocent persons who, without charge or trial, are now interned in this country as the result of the recent Irish rising, if he will endeavour to accelerate the decisions of the Advisory Committee?
Mr. SAMUELThe Committee sit daily, for very long hours, and are dealing with the cases as quickly as possible.