13. Lieut.-Commander KEN WORTHYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many hon. Members of this House, representing Irish constituencies, are now in prison or under arrest by the military; how many aldermen and councillors, respectively, elected to Irish local governing bodies are in prisoner under arrest; and whether these arrests are leading to an improvement in the internal condition of Ireland?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONFour Members of this House, representing Irish Constituencies, are now in prison. One alderman and eleven councillors are in prison, and five councillors are interned. I hope that the effect suggested in the last part of the question will be produced.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHas the hon. Member for St. Stephen's Green (Mr. T. Kelly) been released; and, if so, will he be permitted to carry out his duties as Lord Mayor of "Dublin?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe hon. Member for St. Stephen's Green has been released, but his order for deportation has not been revoked.
§ Captain W. BENNHas any charge been made against this hon. Member?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI have already stated in this House that he, along with a good many others, has been deported under Section 14 (b) of the Defence of the Realm regulations.
Mr. J. JONESIs it true that the Lord Mayor of Dublin is now confined in a private mental hospital in consequence of his treatment?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo, I am not aware of that, but I am aware that he is not very well.
§ Captain BENNWill the right hon. Gentleman tell us now what is the offence that this hon. Gentleman has committed?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI have stated it again and again, and I think in answer 1017 to a question by the hon. and gallant Gentleman.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of these Members of Parliament who is in prison volunteered to fight in the War and on the "Clyde," and went all through the Gallipoli campaign; and, in view of that fact, will he consider the question of his release?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am also aware that the hon. Member was arrested and escaped from prison, and that the charge on which he was arrested was that of inciting to murder the police.
§ Mr. DEVLINDoes the right hon. Gentleman propose to introduce a Bill for the future Government of Ireland while elected representatives of the people are in prison, and does he think that it will promote the proper consideration of those proposals if these elected representatives are kept in prison, when, as a matter of fact, the future government of their country is being discussed in Parliament?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI do not sec how the question arises. These particular representatives have chosen not to come to this Parliament.
§ Mr. DEVLINCannot these hon. Gentlemen discuss the Government proposals in Ireland? Does the right hon. Gentleman think that representatives of the people should be debarred the right of considering a question of life and death to the future of their country?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI have repeatedly stated to the House that no man in Ireland need be in prison if he obeys the law.
§ Captain REDMONDWhat law?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe coercion is entirely on the other side and not on the side of the Government. His Excellency and myself are determined to maintain law and order.
§ Mr. DEVLINWhat law have they broken? I would respectfully point out that, if a Member of Parliament be arrested, we are entitled in this House to ask what is the charge upon which he has been arrested. The House and the British people are entitled to know what these men are being kept in prison for.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI have already stated publicly in this House the reason these men have been deported.
§ Mr. DEVLINrose in his place—
§ Mr. DONALDOn a point of Order. There are 175 Questions on the Paper. Surely other hon. Members have a right to be given a chance as well, instead of the whole of the time of the House being taken up with these nonsensical questions.
§ Mr. DEVLINThe hon. Member is a good judge of nonsense. The right hon. Gentleman stated that he has already re peated the precise charges against these men who are now in prison. Has he stated the charge against Alderman Kelly, M. P., Lord Mayor of Dublin?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI have already stated to the House that Alderman Kelly, along with others, was deported under Section 14 (b) of the existing Defence of the Realm Regulations for conduct prejudicial to the safety of the Realm.
§ Mr. DEVLINrose in his place—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member has had his answer. I think we must now pass on.
§ Mr. DEVLINOn a point of Order. The right hon. Gentleman has stated that he did give a definite and precise answer, namely, that the charge against these men and against Alderman Kelly was that of doing something prejudicial to the welfare of the State. That is a generalisation. I want an answer from the right hon. Gentleman as to what is the definite and precise charge against these men?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member had better put down a question.