§ Mr. BYRNE (by Private Notice)asked the Home Secretary whether the Advisory Committee set up to hear appeals on behalf of interned Irish prisoners has decided not to hear solicitors or counsel on behalf of the prisoners; whether the decision of the Committee is contrary to answers given in this House; and if he will issue orders to the Committee to allow prisoners to be legally represented?
Mr. SAMUELThe Advisory Committee have decided that while the prisoners are entitled to have legal advice, the Committee will not avail themselves of the assistance of any legal adviser as advocate. I am not aware of any answer in the House to the contrary effect.
§ Mr. LYNCHWill the right hon. Gentleman not allow their case to be clearly stated, many of these prisoners being not at all accustomed to prepare evidence? It is simply a matter of putting their case before the Committee.
Mr. SAMUELThey are allowed to have the assistance of solicitors in preparing their cases. The Committee deals with them in no harsh or domineering spirit, and the judge who presides does his best to put them at their ease. If the Committee were required to hear counsel, it would take them many months before they could dispose of these 1,800 cases, and as it is advisable that the decisions of the Committee should be arrived at with the utmost promptitude. I think, on the whole, it is inadvisable to make this alteration in procedure.
§ Mr. BYRNEWill the nature of the charge made against these men be made known before they hear any evidence?