§ 12. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why Mr. Michael Mehigan was arrested at his home, Blackrock, Cork, on the night of 1st February and deported to Wormwood Scrubs Prison on 15th February; whether he is aware that Mr. Mehigan is the Returning Officer appointed by the Cork County Council for the council and local elections to be held in June next; why documents dealing with the proportional representation system of election were taken from his house; whether Mr. Mehigan will be brought to trial; and, if not, whether he will be released in time for the elections in June?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONUnder an Order made in pursuance of the Defence of the Realm Regulations, Mr. Mehigan has been deported from Ireland and interned in Wormwood Scrubs Prison as a person suspected of having acted, and being about to act in a manner prejudicial to the public safety and the defence of the Realm. I am informed that Mr. Mehigan was appointed Returning Officer by the Cork County Council, but since his internment a deputy has been appointed. Some printed circulars relating to proportional representation which were taken possession 1503 of were returned. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMay we have a reply to the fifth part of the question—whether he will be brought to trial?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI have already answered that in the negative.