§ 32. Mr. KINGasked whether it was in pursuance of any War Office Instructions that, after the military control office in New York had granted to Mrs. Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington a passport to return home, she was stopped at Liverpool from proceeding further; and what were the military grounds which have been invoked 1799 to prevent this lady returning to her former employment as teacher of languages in Dublin?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONMy hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. Mrs. Sheehy-Skeffington was definitely informed by the Military Control Officer in New York that an order prohibiting her from going to Ireland had been made by the Home Secretary under 14 E of the Defence of the Realm Regulations, and Mrs. Sheehy-Skeffington cannot, therefore, have left New York under any misapprehension. When she landed at Liverpool a copy of the order was served on her by the civil authorities.
§ Mr. MORRELLIn view of the sufferings which this lady has already undergone, cannot the authorities take a lenient view of her case and allow her to get back to her home?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONMy hon. Friend must address that question to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.
§ Mr. KINGMay we conclude from the answer that has been given that there are no military reasons against her return?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo, Sir.