HC Deb 05 June 1917 vol 94 c5
6. Mr. GINNELL

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether Messrs. O'Connor and Mullins, Irishmen banished from Ireland last February without charge or trial and interned at Wetherby, have been absent from that district any night during that time; whether he is aware that they have been accustomed to go away for a day, returning the same evening, and that, on mentioning last Saturday their intention to visit Leeds and return the same evening they were, again without charge, arrested and imprisoned in the police station by order of the military; and will he specify the Statute under which the military thus assume control over civilians, the charge in this case, when the accused are to be tried, and whether by a civil or by a military Court?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I am not aware whether these two men have been away from Wetherby either for the night or for the day. On 19th May, when they were on their way to the railway station, they were requested by an inspector of police to accompany him to the police station. This action was taken as a precautionary measure under the Defence of the Realm Regulations, in view of the men's statements of their intention and of the fact that several other individuals who were under like restrictions had effected their escapes under similar circumstances. They were detained pending the necessary investigation of their case and were released on this being completed. No charge was, or will be, made against them in respect of the matter referred to in the question.