HC Deb 12 June 1917 vol 94 cc768-9
62. Mr. GINNELL

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the demand made on the 13th April by Mr. Joseph McBride, on behalf of himself and other Irishmen deported without charge or trial, for payment of the amount, £70, which their subsistence at Oxford from 23rd February to 19th April cost, has yet been paid; and, if not, when it will be paid?

Mr. DUKE

As this claim refers to a period prior to the time when the Government undertook liability for the maintenance of the deportees no payment has been authorised.

Mr. GINNELL

Did not the Government assume liability when they deported these men? What is the right hon. Gentleman's authority for fixing any other date?

Mr. DUKE

The Government did not assume liability upon deporting these men. They were deported under the Defence of the Realm Regulations, and there is no provision in the Regulations for any such consequence as the hon. Member attributes to them.

63. Mr. GINNELL

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, seeing that the dependants of Mrs. J. J. O'Kelly and Joseph MacBride, Irishmen deported without charge or trial, have not received any subsistence allowance, and are not aware of any inquiry into their circum stances, will he state when such inquiry was made and the date and amount of the alleged payments; whether liability for maintenance of deportees and their dependants was incurred when the arrests were made; if any other opinion is held, the authority for it; and will he specify the law, if any, which authorises the deportation without charge or trial, detention for an indefinite time, consequential destruction of credit for the upkeep of dependants, and neglect of those dependants in that condition by the Government?

Mr. DUKE

Inquiries were made into the circumstances of the dependants of Messrs, J. J. O'Kelly and Joseph MacBride, and in neither case were payments to dependants considered to be necessary. The question of law raised by the hon. Member seems to be disposed of by Regulation 14 of the Defence of the Realm Regulations.

Mr. GINNELL

Then Regulation 14 abrogates the ordinary law?

Mr. DUKE

Certainly.