§ 20. Mr. GINNELLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War under whose order seventy young Cumann-na-mban nurses wearing a red cross and doing Red Cross work for wounded on both sides during the insurrection in Dublin were arrested, imprisoned, three for a week in each cell constructed for one, given no beds, only one blanket too dirty to be used, no proper sanitary accommodation or facilities, attendance so dirty as to produce sickness, hardened criminals of the lowest class forced in amongst them; seeing that they were all daughters of respectable citizens ready to give security if required, why they were imprisoned; whether most of them were subsequently released without charge, trial, apology, or reparation; 818 why five have been kept in Mountjoy Prison and allowed only one visit of fifteen minutes each day; whether he is aware that of these Miss Foley did only one day's voluntary Red Cross work, while Miss. Perolz was in Cork and Miss Ryan in Wexford at the time of the rising in Dublin, and therefore had no connection with it; whether he is aware that this continued imprisonment affects the public position of the latter, in which she is maintaining a substitute; whether these five ladies will be released forthwith and compensated; and, if not, whether they will be allowed to live at large in some area chosen by them, as others in the same cause are now being allowed to do?
§ Mr. TENNANTI cannot, of course, accept as correct all the statements which the hon. Gentleman has reproduced in this question. The cases of all the women who were arrested in connection with the recent rebellion were investigated with the utmost rapidity possible in the circumstances, and sixty-two prisoners were released on the 8th of May. As regards the five ladies who have not been released, they, as I have several times informed the hon. Member, have been interned under an Order issued by the Home Secretary, and they have the right to lay their cases before the Advisory Committee. As regards the conditions at the time of their arrest, I may say that all possible consideration was extended to these prisoners.
§ Mr. GINNELLWill the right hon. Gentleman say what is the precedent for requiring a statement in the nature of a defence in cases in which no charge has been made? Has a charge been made against any one of these five, or will it be made before they make their statement?
§ Mr. TENNANTI would ask the hon. Member what is the precedent for the rebellion in Ireland? I would also ask him to address his question with regard to the treatment of these women to the Home Secretary.