§ 6. Mr. KINGasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Brian O'Higgins was arrested on 18th May and is now interned, with no charge made against him; that when Father Albert applied to see him in Arbor Hill he was referred by the commandant to the provost-marshal, then to General Head quarters, Irish Command, and then to Major Price; and that Major Price refused him in a needlessly rough manner; whether interned persons, with no charge made against them, are not allowed to be seen by their friends; and, if so whether this policy will be reconsidered?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Shortt)The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. Major Price refused, but not in a needlessly rough manner. The answer to the fourth part of the question is in the affirmative. There is no intention of reconsidering this policy at present.
§ 7. Mr. KINGasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Mrs. T. Clarke was arrested on 22nd May, and told that she was to be at once deported; that Father Albert was refused leave to see her when she wished to arrange for the care of her three young children; that in his effort to see Mrs. Clarke he was sent from one officer to another, first offered and then refused telephone facilities, and falsely assured that Mrs. Clarke was not to be deported that night, and that he 1728 never saw her; and whether such treatment of persons arrested under no charge will be in future avoided?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Nothing is known as to the matter mentioned in the second and third parts.
I am informed that Mrs. Clarke made arrangements with regard to her three young children. The latter part of the question does not therefore arise.
§ 8. Mr. KINGasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware of the many allegations against Major Price for tactlessness and unnecessary harshness in his present position; and whether, in order to give no ground to those who are suspicious and excited in the face of present Irish conditions, he will arrange for Major Price to be relieved from any dealing with cases of interned persons?
§ Mr. SHORTTI am aware that certain such allegations have been made against Major Price, but I am not aware of any one of them for which there was any foundation. That officer carried out hip extremely difficult and delicate duties in a highly efficient and loyal manner.
§ Mr. KINGIs not the right hon. Gentle man willing to meet public opinion with a view to conciliating it, and in that light would he not reconsider this question?
§ Mr. SHORTTNo. I am quite willing to bear any charge made against Major Price, and to hear both sides with regard to it.
§ Mr. ARCHDALEIs not the loyal opinion of Ireland entirely in favour of Major Price.
§ 15. Mr. KINGasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many of the persons recently arrested in Ireland under Regulation 14b have applied to be heard by the advisory committee; how many such persons have now appeared before that committee; and whether in any cases the committee have recommended that the person heard should be liberated?
§ Mr. SHORTTNo application has reached me. The rest of the question does not therefore arise.
§ Mr. KINGHas the right hon. Gentleman taken steps to appoint an advisory committee, or is one being appointed?
§ Mr. SHORTTSteps are being taken, and I expect to make an announcement early next week.