§ 54. Mr. P. J. MEEHANasked if an adequate supply of forms to be filled in and handed to the commandant of detention prisons by Irish prisoners who have been inadvertently arrested and who claim release has been supplied to each prison and given to the prisoners; and if the prisoners have been made aware that these forms are available for them?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am not quite certain whether I am able to answer the first part of the question in the affirmative. If I am not, I will see that action will be taken so that an affirmative answer can be given.
§ Mr. MEEHANCan the right hon. Gentleman say to whom these forms, when filled in, are submitted in Ireland for investigation? Are they submitted to the local police?
§ Mr. TENNANTWhen filled in they go to the headquarters of the Irish Command.
§ Mr. MEEHANAre they then submitted to the local police in the various districts?
§ Mr. TENNANTI cannot say definitely what the procedure is, but I think that the police are asked for their reports.
§ 100. Mr. LUNDONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any charge has or can be levelled against William Benn, cycle agent, of Tipperary, who is at present in Glasgow detention camp; and, in view of the fact that this young man took no part in the rebellion, and that his business will be ruined if he is kept in prison any longer, will steps be taken to have him released?
§ Mr. TENNANTI have no specific information about this young man, but, if he took no part in the rebellion, there should be no obstacle to his being released, as my hon. Friend desires.
§ 101. Mr. LUNDONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will make instant inquiries into the arrest and deportation of Samuel Ruttle, of Adare, county Limerick; whether he is aware that Ruttle and his family have been for more than twenty-five years in the employment of Lord Dunraven, and have not been Sinn Feiners; and, in view of the hardship inflicted on his family by his arrest and detention, will he be discharged immediately?
§ Mr. TENNANTNo, Sir. If the facts be as stated no doubt he will be released in due course.
§ Mr. LUNDONWhat is the meaning of due course—does it mean three months?
§ Mr. TENNANTIt means as soon as his case can be reached.
§ 103. Mr. GRAHAMasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state what is the charge preferred against Michael Foley, aged twenty-one years, who was deported from Dublin and is now detained as a prisoner in Knutsford Detention Barracks?
§ Mr. TENNANTI will make inquiries into this case.
§ Mr. GRAHAMMay I remind the right hon. Gentleman that I wrote to him about nine days ago on this question and have not yet had a reply?
§ Mr. TENNANTI think it is one of those cases that I am making inquiry into.