§ Mr. DEVLIN(by Private Notice) asked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether he is aware that 145 prisoners are now on hunger strike in Belfast Gaol, and whether immediate steps will be taken to release them?
§ Mr. HENRYThe number of prisoners on hunger strike is substantially as stated in the hon. Member's question. It is not proposed to take immediate steps to release them.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHAre these also untried and unconvicted prisoners, men against whom no charge has been preferred?
§ Mr. HENRYI cannot give the exact figures of prisoners untried, but I am quite satisfied a substantial number of them are untried.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHMay I ask the Leader of the House or the Prime Minister, which ever is able to answer, whether the Government has arrived at any decision as to the continued detention in prison of men whom they have not put on trial, and against whom they have preferred no charge?
§ Mr. BONAR LAW (Leader of the House)We have nothing to add to what we have said over and over again on this subject.
§ Mr. DEVLINMay I ask the Prime Minister if he will say something?
§ Captain REDMONDCan the Leader of the House state whether these persons in Belfast are receiving the same treatment at the hands of the Irish Executive or Irish Government, call it what you like, as the prisoners are receiving here in Wormwood Scrubs at the hands of the Home Secretary?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI cannot really say that in detail the treatment is the same, but I can say that a distinct difference has been made in the treatment of those in that condition from those who have been convicted; and as has been stated more than once in debate we are ready to give any reasonable conditions.
§ Captain REDMONDIs it not the fact that the Home Secretary stated the other day in this House that the treatment meted out to such prisoners was different in this country from what it was in Ireland?
§ Mr. MacVEAGHIn view of the statement made last night by the Home Secretary, that he would consult his colleagues as to the suggestion made by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Peebles (Sir D. Maclean) that there should be an inquiry into the nature of the charges brought against these men, may I ask has that consultation taken place and, if not, when will it take place?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe statement was made by the Home Secretary with my knowledge and approval, but the hon. Member can hardly expect that there has been time already to allow the consultation to take place.
§ Mr. DEVLINWill it be after some of these men have died?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe hon. Member really knows that they are not on hunger strike on any question of treatment, but because they demand unconditional release.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHOr trial.