§ 63. Mr. SNOWDENasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the case of Louis Ferdinand Kehrhan, a British subject, who was sentenced to six months' imprisonment for escaping from internment, but who successfully appealed at Liverpool on 12th April, 1917; whether Kehrhan was taken to Brixton Prison, where he now remains under prison discipline, and where, contrary to the usual procedure, he is refused permission to see his solicitor in private; and whether, in view of his conviction being quashed, steps will be taken immediately to remove him from illegal detention in prison and to return him to an internment camp?
§ Sir G. CAVEYes, Sir, I am well aware of the case. This man, who is the son of a German, is interned under the Defence of the Bealm Regulations. He was originally 943 placed in an internment camp, but it has become necessary on account of his escape to intern him in Brixton Prison where there are also other men similarly interned. He is not subject to the ordinary prison regime, but as far as possible is given the same treatment as persons interned under the Defence of the Realm Regulations elsewhere. The regulations with regard to such persons do not permit of private interviews. His conviction and sentence at Liverpool were not for escaping from internment, but for leaving the United Kingdom in contravention of the Aliens Restriction Order and the Defence of the Realm Regulations. His present detention is not illegal. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.