HC Deb 13 November 1919 vol 121 cc497-500
49. Captain WEDGWOOD BENN

asked the Prime Minister how many Members of this House have been imprisoned or for the arrest of how many warrants have been issued for offences under the Crimes Act and under the Defence of the Realm Act, specifying under which Section the offence was committed and what punishments have been awarded in each case?

The PRIME MINISTER

Every case of the nature indicated in the question is communicated by Mr. Speaker to the House and is to be found in the Journals. A list has, however, been compiled and will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following is the list referred to:

(Dates given are those of letters read by Mr. Speaker.)

1914. None.

1914–16. None.

1916.

1st November.

Laurence Ginnell.

Under Regulation 44 of Defence of the Realm Regulations. Twenty-one days in 1st division or £50 fine. (C.J. 1916, p. 227.)

1918.

5th April.

Laurence Ginnell.

Unlawful assembly. Required to find sureties of £500 and in default six months' imprisonment. (C.J. 1918, p. 44.)

1st June.

De Valera.

Count Plunkett.

W. T. Cosgrave.

Joseph McGuinness.

Under 14 (b), Defence of Realm Regulations.

Interned until further orders. (C.J. 1918, p. 105.)

(Dates given, relate to the date of Entry in the Votes.)

1919.

11th February.

Mr. Wm. Sears.

Unlawful assembly under Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act, 1887. Committed to prison for six months.

7th March.

Mr. Pearce Beasley.

Arrested and committed for trial by court-martial for an offence under the Defence of the Realm Act.

10th March.

Mr. J. J. Walsh.

Mr. R. C. Barton.

Arrested and committed for trial by court-martial for an offence under the Defence of the Realm Act.

2nd June.

Mr. Beasley (above).

Two years without hard labour under the Defence of the Realm Act.

  1. 1. Regulation 42, for speech calculated to cause sedition.
  2. 2. Regulations 48 and 27, having documents in his possession for injuring locomotives and training men in use of rifles.

24th June.

Mr. J. J. Clancy.

Three months' hard labour under 50 and 51 Vic. c. 20 for unlawful and riotous assembly.

24th June.

Countess Markievicz.

Four months' imprisonment under Criminal Law and Procedure Act, 1887, for unlawful assembly.

7th July.

Mr. L. Ginnell.

Four months' imprisonment under Criminal Law and Procedure Act for unlawful assembly.

22nd October.

Mr. Ernest Blyth.

Arrested and committed for trial by court-martial under the Defence of the Realm Act.

22nd October.

Mr. P. O'Keefe.

Sentenced by court-martial to eighteen months' 'imprisonment for offences against Regulations 42 and 27 of the Defence of the Realm Act.

22nd October.

Mr. A. McCabe.

Charged under Criminal Law and Procedure Act for two offences and sentenced,

  1. (a) To three months' hard labour and to find sureties.
  2. (b) To three months' hard labour, sentences to run concurrently.

19th August.

Mr. P. P. Galligan.

One year's hard labour under the Defence of the Realm Regulations 9e, 48 and 32.

3rd November.

Mr. E. Blyth.

One year's imprisonment under the Defence of the Realm Act, Regulation 27.

Captain BENN

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that it includes the particulars of the sections of the Defence of the Realm Act under which the convic- tions have been secured, and the nature of the Court, in which the trials have taken place?

The PRIME MINISTER

I am told that it includes the sections. I am not quite sure of the second part of the hon. Member's question, but I will look into it.

Mr. R. McNEILL

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many of these cases are men who have taken the oath of allegiance?

The PRIME MINISTER

A good many.