§ Mr. HOGGE(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether Mrs. J. Annan Bryce was arrested at Holyhead on Friday by agents of the Government, thence deported to Dublin, and imprisoned in a Bridewell there; if so, by what authority, on whose instructions, and on what grounds was this action taken?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The lady was arrested by order of the Competent Military Authority under the powers conferred by No. 55 of the Restoration of Order in Ireland Regulations. She was suspected of having in her possession documents of a seditious character. She did have documents, out they were not considered of a sufficiently serious nature to lay a definite charge.
§ Mr. HOGGEI addressed this question to the Prime Minister, and I would ask this supplementary question: When had the Government and how had the Government power under the Restoration of Order in Ireland Act to arrest a British subject in this country? Is it not a fact that the Restoration of Order in Ireland Act applies only to Ireland? This lady, the wife of an ex-Member of this House—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member should give notice of that supplementary question. It requires research.
§ Mr. HOGGEOn a point of Order. I did give notice of this question as early as half-past eleven to the Government. The reply is under the authority of the Restoration of Order in Ireland Act. Anybody in this House knows that that 35 Act was passed for Ireland. I am not asking for information about that. I am asking a question about this country. I want to know why in this country under an Act of Parliament applying only to Ireland a British subject can be arrested.
§ Mr. SPEAKERIf the hon. Member will put his question in the ordinary way, he will get a reply.
§ Mr. HOGGEI give notice that at the close of questions I shall ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House on an urgent matter of definite public importance, namely, the arrests of British subjects in this country under an Irish Act.
At the end of Questions—
§ Mr. HOGGEI beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House on a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the arrest of Mrs. Annan Bryce at Holyhead, her deportation to Dublin, and imprisonment without charge under an Act of Parliament that applies only to Ireland.
The pleasure of the House not having been signified, Mr. SPEAKER called on those Members who supported the Motion to rise in their places, and, fewer than forty Members having accordingly risen, the House proceeded to the Orders of the Day.
§ Mr. HOGGEI give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment. [HON. MEMBERS: "You cannot!"] Then I shall beg to divide.