§ 28. Mr. LUNDONasked the Home Secretary if the only charge against Samuel Ruttle, of Adare, county Limerick, is that he was on terms of personal friendship with Austin Stack, of Tralee; is it treason for a man in no way whatever connected with the Sinn Fein movement, but on the contrary, to be a personal friend with men from whom he might differ politically; and will he order this man's release at once and thus prevent his business from being ruined?
The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Samuel)The grounds for Samuel Ruttle's internment are stated in the notice of the order which has been served upon him. His case has been before the Advisory Committee, and the decision will be announced shortly.
§ Mr. LUNDONAre we to take it that Mr. Ruttle, who happens to be a personal acquaintance of the leader of the Sinn Fein movement, is thereby to be supposed to be guilty of treason?
§ Sir W. BYLESAre not many other businesses in Ireland being ruined owing to this rigid detention of entirely innocent Irish prisoners?
Mr. SAMUELThe House is aware of the course that has been pursued. The military authorities recommended the internment of a considerable number of men, and the Advisory Committee has been actively engaged in examining their cases. A very large proportion indeed have already been released, and they are being released now at the rate of many scores every day.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEWill any compensation be given to men who have been unjustly detained and whose businesses have been ruined thereby?
Mr. SAMUELNo, Sir, I cannot say that, although persons were released, they were improperly interned. A very large proportion of those who have been released have taken part in the rebellion, and have been released on the ground that they were not fully aware in respect of the disturbance on Easter Monday on what they were really engaged.
Mr. NUGENTWill permission be given to those who took no part in the insurrection to sue the Government or those responsible for having ruined their businesses and having sent their families into starvation?
Mr. SAMUELIt is not for the Government to say what proceedings are to be taken. If it is within the law, they can, of course, take proceedings.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEIs it to be assumed that every man who has been interned and taken away from Ireland is guilty?
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYCan the right hon. Gentleman say why the hon. Member for Dublin (Mr. Nugent) did not ask his question three months sooner?
§ Mr. LUNDONAs the only charge against these men is that—
§ Mr. SPEAKERNotice should be given of any further questions.