§ 67. Mr. BYRNEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether ten Irishmen deported last month from Ireland to Oxford without charge or trial were on Monday removed by armed military escort from Oxford to Fairford, in Gloucestershire; whether they were manacled for the purpose of removal; who is responsible for the order of removal; what is the motive alleged to justify the removal; under what section of the Defence of the Realm Regulations these men were removed by armed force; whether it is intended to move in a similar manner the other eighteen men who were deported without trial; and, if so, will he have the order immediately cancelled?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThese men were accompanied by police officers in plain clothes, and not by a military escort. They were not manacled. They were removed by the order of the local competent military authority under War Office instructions, as it was considered undesirable to leave them in the city of Oxford. The fifth part of the question does not arise. There is no intention at present of removing the other eighteen men, and the last part of the question does not therefore arise.
§ Mr. BYRNEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that these men went to considerable expense in getting a house at Oxford, where they found difficulty in getting any assistance from people, and that just as they had the house completed they were removed, and will he say why that should be allowed?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI cannot add anything to the answer that I have given.
§ Mr. FLAVINCan the hon. Gentleman say what crime these men had been guilty of. why they were deported to Oxford, and why now they have been removed from Oxford to another place?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI must ask for notice of that question.
§ Mr. W. ROCHHave any of these men been tried at all?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI must ask for notice of that question.