Mr. HAZLETON(by Private Notice) asked the Home Secretary whether Mr. Frank Healy, a candidate for the Parliamentary constituency of West Cork, is at present detained by the Government of this country and has been refused permission to go to Cork to further his candidature; whether Mr. Healy applied for such permission, and what decision has been taken in the matter?
Mr. SAMUELMy attention had not been called to the speech referred to. Mr. Frank Healy has been living at Bournemouth under the requirements of an Order made under the Defence of the Realm Regulations. On 11th October he wrote to the Chairman of the Home Office Advisory Committee asking to be allowed to return to Ireland, and requesting him to inform me that he was willing to give an assurance in similar terms to those required as a condition of the release of prisoners at Frongoch, and also to find sureties to the peace to any reasonable amount. On 24th October a letter was sent from the Home Office to Mr. Healy saying that he would be released from his obligation to remain in Bournemouth on his signing the undertaking, of which a copy was sent to him, and on his entering into a bond with two sureties. To that letter no reply has yet been received. Mr. Healy has been free to return to Ireland at any time after 24th October on his giving the assurance and entering into the bond which he offered in his letter of 11th October.