§ 48. Mr. GINNELLasked the Prime Minister how many ladies are now in prison in Ireland uncharged and untried for alleged connection with the insurrection; whether in many of these cases the only connection was that of rendering first aid to the wounded; whether many of the ladies are young professional students whose course is interrupted and careers spoiled by this imprisonment; whether they are suffering solitary confinement for twenty-two hours each day, and are allowed only one visit of fifteen minutes each day through two gratings with a wardress between; whether this is the usual treatment of uncharged and untried prisoners; and whether, having regard to all the circumstances and effects, the Government will order the immediate release of all ladies against whom they are unable to formulate a definite charge?
60. Mr. NUGENTasked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to deport a number of young ladies at present in Mountjoy Prison on suspicion, and against whom no charge has been preferred; and, if so, whether he will consider the undesirability of such a proposal, involving the transfer of these young ladies to a strange district in which they would be separated from their homes and friends and without any means of support?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThere are twelve of these ladies still remaining in custody. The governor of the prison reports that they are being treated with every consideration. Before the final decision is reached in these cases the Home Secretary and myself are looking into them. There will be no avoidable delay.
§ 51. Mr. BYRNEasked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the advisability of dealing with the Irish prisoners of war by general amnesty?
§ 57. Mr. DILLONasked the Prime Minister whether he is now prepared to make a full statement of the intentions of the Government with regard to the prisoners arrested as a consequence of the late insurrection in Ireland and now detained in Great Britain?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAn opportunity has been afforded to each of the prisoners of stating in writing any reasons he might wish to advance against detention, and an investigation by the military authorities in Ireland into each case has been proceeding for some time. That investigation will be very shortly completed. It has resulted in the release, up to the present stage, of a large number of prisoners. In the cases in which the investigation has led to the conclusion that continued detention is necessary, the Government propose that orders of internment should be made under Regulation 14B of the Defence of the Realm Regulations. The men would be confined, not in prisons but in an internment camp. Each would have the right to have his case examined by the Advisory Committee, presided over by a person holding judicial office or having judicial experience, which is provided for in the Regulation.
§ Mr. DILLONCan the right hon. Gentleman state what is the composition of the Advisory Committee which will deal with these cases, and whether these cases will be dealt with in secret?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI should like to have notice of that. They will be presided over by a judge. I believe the judge who at present presides over the Advisory Committee is Mr. Justice Sankey. They will follow the procedure which has hitherto been pursued.
§ Mr. DILLONThere is no representative of Ireland, nor anybody with any knowledge of Ireland.
§ The PRIME MINISTEROh, yes!
§ Mr. GINNELLWill he say what is the ground of the invidious distinction at present being made between untried and uncharged prisoners who, so far as the law is concerned, should all be treated alike? Some are confined alone in solitary confinement, whereas others are allowed to mix with each other. What is the ground for that?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat must be left very largely to the discretion of the officials on the spot. I believe there is no real ground for complaint.
§ Mr. LYNCHHas the right hon. Gentleman seriously considered so far the proposal for a general amnesty, following the example of General Botha in South Africa?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWe bear all these things most carefully in mind.
§ Mr. W. O'BRIENWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the suggestion that all Irish prisoners of war should be treated at least as well as the German prisoners here?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, Sir.
§ Mr. BYRNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is need for improving the condition of the food supply of the prisoners awaiting trial? In Wandsworth and Stafford they are complaining bitterly that they are not getting sufficient food.
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf the hon. Gentleman will send me particulars I will inquire into it. I was satisfied in Dublin that it was not the case.
§ Mr. BYRNEI have received letters from Dublin stating that they have been all right since the right hon. Gentleman has been there; but in Wandsworth and Stafford they are not treated in the same way.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI will inquire into that.
§ 63. Mr. OUTHWAITEasked the Prime Minister whether he can state how many Irishmen are now in prison against whom no charge has been preferred?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI regret that this information is not yet available, but I have given instructions that it should be prepared as soon as possible.
§ Mr. P. J. MEEHANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is only one prisoner in the whole of Queen's County, and that man is a simpleton?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf that is so it is to the credit of Queen's County.
§ The following question stood on the Paper in the name of Mr. DILLON:
§ 58. To ask the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to try the Tullamore prisoners by court-martial; and, if so, on what principle it is proposed to bring before courts-martial alleged offences committed long before the proclamation of martial law was issued, and which had been already in the hands of a civil tribunal?
§ Mr. DILLONI have been asked to postpone Question 58. In doing so I should like to ask the Under-Secretary for War whether he can answer the question to-morrow? It is not a question in regard to which he requires to take a long time for obtaining information.
§ Mr. TENNANTI will endeavour to give the hon. Gentleman a reply tomorrow.