HC Deb 03 November 1920 vol 134 cc358-9
53. Mr. HOGGE

asked the Lord Privy Seal under what authority persons are being arrested and detained in this country without the authorities producing a warrant or making any charge?

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir Gordon Hewart)

I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to reply to this question. I do not know what cases, if any, are referred to in the question, but Regulation 55 of the Defence of the Realm Regulations provides that any person authorised for the purpose by the competent naval or military authority, or any police constable, or officer of Customs or Excise, or aliens officer, may arrest without warrant any person whose behaviour is of such a nature as to give reasonable grounds for suspecting that he has acted, or is acting, or is about to act, in a manner prejudicial to the public safety or the defence of the Realm.

Mr. HOGGE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if it was under this authority that Mrs. Annan Bryce was arrested and detained at Holyhead?

Sir G. HEWART

I cannot say.

Mr. HOGGE

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire if I put down a question two days hence?

Sir G. HEWART

I will certainly inquire.

61. Major ENTWISTLE

asked whether the officer who arrested Mr. J. Annan Bryce at Holyhead on the night of Friday, 29th October, refused to produce any warrant or evidence of his power to arrest her; and under what authority he made the arrest?

Sir H. GREENWOOD

I would refer the hon. Member to Regulation 55 of the Defence of the Realm Regulations and No. 55 of the Restoration of Order in Ireland Regulations. The officer who arrested her was duly authorised by the competent military authority, and it was unnecessary therefore for him to produce a warrant for her arrest.

Mr. MacVEAGH

Does the Restoration of Order in Ireland Act apply to Holy-head, which happens to be in Wales?

Sir H. GREENWOOD

In some cases, in my opinion, it does.

Mr. HOGGE

How is it that the Attorney-General, less than five minutes ago, said he did not know how Mrs. Bryce was arrested and my hon. Friend does?

Sir H. GREENWOOD

No. I understood that my hon. Friend was not asked any question about Mrs Bryce.

Mr. MacVEAGH

What offence was committed by Mrs. Bryce?