§ 6. Mr. T. M. HEALYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the number of suspects arrested in 1867 and in 1881–2, 1637 under the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act; and the number of Irishmen now in gaol without trial under the Defence of the Realm Act?
Mr. SAMUELFrom such inquiries as it has been possible to make in the short interval since the hon. and learned Member gave notice of this question, it appears that 955 persons were arrested and detained without trial under the Protection of Person and Property Act, 1881, during the years 1881 and 1882. Under the Habeas Corpus Suspension Acts, 17th February and 10th August, 1866, and 26th February, 1867, and subsequent dates in the years 1867 and 1868, numerous arrests were made throughout Ireland in connection with the Fenian movement and rebellion, and according to returns presented to Parliament on the 7th May, 1867, 961 persons were arrested under these Acts from 1st February, 1866, to 1st March, 1867. I presume the last part of the question relates to the persons interned under the Defence of the Realm Regulation. The number of these is about 1,800, but very few of them are now in prison, nearly all having been moved to the internment camp at Frongoch.
Mr. SAMUELRather over 3,000 were arrested at the time of the rebellion, but about 1,200 were released by the military authorities.
§ 12. Mr. HEALYasked the Home Secretary if Irish untried prisoners in England are debarred from getting from gaolers, under the Habeas Corpus Act, copies of the warrants under which they are held?
Mr. SAMUELThese prisoners are interned in pursuance of Orders made under Defence of the Realm Regulation 14B, The authority for the Order and the grounds of internment are stated both in the Order, and in the notice of it which is served upon each man.
§ Mr. HEALYWill the right hon. Gentleman answer my question, which is whether the prisoners arrested under the Defence of the Realm Act are entitled under the Habeas Corpus Act to a copy of the warrant in accordance with the Statute?
§ Mr. HEALYI beg the right hon. Gentleman's pardon. I want to know are they entitled to the protection of the Habeas Corpus Act?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIf it is not a matter of fact upon which the hon. and learned Member is inquiring but a matter of law, of course the Home Secretary is not in a position to answer.
§ Mr. HEALYI beg to ask him whether, if a prisoner applies under the Habeas Corpus Act for a copy of the warrant under which he is interned, the gaoler will give him one?
Mr. SAMUELIf he can show there is reason to believe that he has lost the copy which has already been furnished to him. I have repeatedly told the hon. and learned Member that each man, when interned, receives a copy of the Home Secretary's order for his internment.
§ Sir EDWARD CARSONAre not these prisoners arrested under the Defence of the Realm Act?