§ 54. Mr. ANDERSONasked what further action the Government propose to take in regard to the men and women arrested in Ireland on suspicion of treasonable conspiracy; whether it is pro posed that they should have the right of 1230 open trial or be enabled in any way to defend themselves against the charges made against them; whether any who may be able to establish their innocence will have an opportunity of doing so before any tribunal; and whether the Government propose to set any limit to the imprisonment without trial of these deportees?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL for IRE LAND (Mr. A. Samuels)The persons referred to were arrested and interned by an Order made by the Chief Secretary under Defence of the Realm Regulation 14 b. The Order served upon each person arrested stated that if within seven days from the date of serving the Order he or she submitted any representations against the provisions of the Order to the Chief Secretary such representations would be referred to an advisory committee pre sided over by a judge of the High Court. If the report of the committee satisfies the Chief Secretary in any case that the Order of internment may safely be revoked or varied the Chief Secretary will revoke or vary the Order accordingly.
§ Mr. PRINGLEDo these interned people know that they may have the right of legal assistance in making any representations of the kind mentioned in the answer?
§ Mr. SAMUELSThe hon. Member had better put that question down.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSHave any requests been received?
§ Mr. SAMUELSI cannot answer that.