§ 68. Sir R. COOPERasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if additional steps were taken to protect British interests against the influence and action of spies in our ports after the statement of Sir Edward Nicholl last March; and can he make a general statement as to what those steps were without prejudicing the public interest?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo additional steps were taken in consequence of the statements of Sir Edward Nicholl, as they did not add materially to Admiralty information. The question of tightening the restrictions in the dock areas has long been under consideration, and as a result the competent naval authorities have issued orders to that effect.
§ 69. Sir R. COOPERasked the Secretary to the Admiralty how many officers in control of shipping at our ports have been authorised, under Regulation 55 of the Defence of the Realm Regulations, to arrest persons suspected of acting in a manner prejudicial to the public safety; and can he say whether His Majesty's Government depends on the Home Office for dealing with such persons in any British ports?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt is not possible to answer the first part of my hon. Friend's question. A large number of officers, stationed at all parts of the coast, are competent naval authorities under the Defence of the Realm Regulations; and any one of these may authorise the arrest of any person suspected of acting in a 896 manner prejudicial to the public safety, whenever the need arises. As regards the second part of the question, competent naval and military authorities have powers independent of the Home Office. In dealing with suspected persons in British ports, His Majesty's Government depend partly on the naval and military authorities and partly on the aliens officers and the police, all of whom endeavour to co-operate as far as possible.