§ 73. Mr. BYRNEasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that parcels of perishable foodstuffs sent to Irish prisoners of war in English and Welsh camps have not been delivered for seven or eight days; if he is aware that, owing to this delay in delivery, parcels of food were rendered useless and prisoners left hungry; if he is aware that letters to and from Irish prisoners have been delayed for more than a week before delivery; and if he will take steps to remedy this grievance?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Joseph Pease)I have no knowledge of any delay in the Post of letters or parcels addressed to or sent by Irishmen who, since the recent disturbances in Ireland, have been detained by the military. If particulars are sent me I shall be glad to investigate the same, but I should point out to the hon. Member that if there has been any delay due to censoring correspondence it would take place at the camps, and any question, therefore, relating to delay thus caused should be addressed to the War Office.
§ Mr. GINNELLMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman's control over these letters ceases when they are delivered by the postman; whether he can relieve the congestion of a heap of letters for prisoners in the camp in Wales lying at the entrance not delivered; when will they be delivered, and what protection is there against people to whom they do not belong picking them up?
§ Mr. PEASELetters are delivered at the camps and as soon as they are delivered the Post Office has no further responsibility in connection with their distribution amongst those who are regarded as prisoners.
§ Mr. GINNELLWill the Under-Secretary for War account for these letters?
§ Mr. TENNANTIf the hon. Member will tell me where I can get the letters.
§ Mr. GINNELLAt the entrance to the camp in Wales.
§ Mr. BYRNEWill the right hon. Gentleman arrange for the censoring of the letters in the Post Office so that they could be delivered when they do arrive at the camps?
§ Mr. PEASEThe censoring is done by the military censor and not by the authorities connected with the Post Office. The 516 Post Office authorities endeavour to facilitate the censoring, and if the War Office desire that the censoring should take place in some other place during the period of transition, of course we shall endeavour to meet their wishes.
§ 83. Mr. GINNELLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War the names of Irish prisoners of war who have died in this country since internment, and the names of those now sick?
§ Mr. TENNANTMichael McCarthy died at Wakefield on 14th May. As the numbers on the sick list vary from day to day it would be impossible to give this information.
§ Mr. GINNELLDid Michael McCarthy die from a wetting sustained while in custody in Dublin from sheer neglect?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am afraid I do not know what he died from.
§ 88. Mr. BYRNEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction that is being caused in Ireland owing to the treatment and visiting regulations for Irish prisoners of war at Frongoeh camp; if he is aware that the general treatment and visiting to the camp is much worse than when prisoners were in English gaols; and if he will take steps to see that such treatment shall not continue?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe regulations as to visiting these prisoners were laid down by the Home Office. Perhaps my hon. Friend would refer to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.
§ Major NEWMANAre these men prisoners of war or interned rebels?
§ Mr. TENNANTAs to what their precise designation is, I do not think it has ever been decided, but they are treated as prisoners of war.
§ Major NEWMANAre they treated as prisoners of war?
§ Mr. TENNANTYes.
§ Major NEWMANThen they are prisoners of war.
§ Mr. RONALD McNEILLHas war been declared between England and Ireland?
§ Mr. TENNANTBetter ask your hon. Friend.
§ 93. Mr. BYRNEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will print and circulate for the information of the Members of the House the evidence upon which the Irish prisoners of war were convicted and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment ranging from six months to life sentences; and if he will also cause the evidence submitted on their behalf to be made public?
§ Mr. TENNANTI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right lion. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for East Mayo on 1st June.