§ 73. Mr. KINGasked the Home Secretary whether he has now framed the Regulations under which persons interned under the Defence of the Realm Regulation 14, and lately resident in Ireland, will receive letters, visits, and parcels; and whether he is aware that though they and their friends were informed over a fortnight ago that visits from relatives and legal advisers and the privileges of letter writing were to be freely accorded no such privileges have so far been allowed?
§ Mr. BRACEThese persons are allowed within certain limits to communicate direct with their friends and to receive letters and parcels from them, and have been informed of the regulations govern- 1231 ing such correspondence. Visits from relatives cannot be allowed at present, but any application from a prisoner to see his legal adviser will be considered.
§ Mr. KINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that though these persons were told a fortnight ago that they might see their relatives— their children, for instance— up to this morning they had not been allowed either to see or to communicate with them by letter, and that there are children awaiting dispositions being made for them who are not allowed to see their parents?
§ Mr. KINGAs this matter has been brought to the attention of the Home Secretary and the Under-Secretary repeatedly during the past week, will the right hon. Gentleman take up the matter at once with a view to preventing these persons being treated worse than ordinary criminals?
§ Mr. KINGWhy are all letters between parents and children prevented, so that there is not one word of communication with these persons allowed at present?
§ Mr. BRACEThese persons are allowed, within certain limits, to communicate direct with their friends and receive letters and parcels from them,
§ Mr. KINGAs my experience is in direct conflict with the statement of the right hon. Gentleman, will he allow me to see him immediately after Questions on this matter?