59. Captain BENNasked the Home Secretary for what reason he is unwilling to publish the document containing the undertakings given by the Irish Free State Government as to the deportees?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANVery full statements in regard to the understandings with the Irish Free State Government have already been made in the House, and I do not think any public interest would be served by laying papers.
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI do not think the public interest will be served by so doing. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman does not believe the statements I made in the two debates, I cannot say any more.
Captain BENNIn view of the character of the documents, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it desirable to lay them that we may know?
§ Mr. PRINGLEDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider that the public interest will be served by suppressing information?
§ 68. Mr. A. GREENWOODasked the Home Secretary whether the raid and arrests made in London during the early hours of Saturday morning last were undertaken at the request of the Irish Free State Government; whether the names of the two men arrested were supplied by the Free State Government; whether any steps have been taken to ascertain if the men under arrest are Irish citizens; and under what powers he took action?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANLast Friday night the police visited the residences of certain persons whose names appeared upon a nominal roll of a section of the so-called Irish Republican Army in London. This action was taken by the police in the ordinary course of their duty without prior consultation with the Free State authorities. The second and third parts of the question, therefore, do not arise. The requisite powers are given by Article 51 of the Restoration of Order in Ireland Regulations.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWhy is it that, after all this tremendous organisation and this great raid, only two men were arrested?
§ Captain BERKELEYAre these men in custody?
§ Mr. GREENWOODOn this occasion was action taken under the Restoration of Order in Ireland Act, or under police powers?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI understand that action was taken under Section 51 of the Regulations under the Restoration of Order in Ireland Act.
§ Mr. LANSBURYUnder that Section is it possible for the police to search premises without any warrant whatsoever, either from the right hon. Gentleman or a magistrate?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI will send the hon. Member a copy of the Regulation.
§ 70. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Home Secretary whether Mr. McGlyn, of Tipping Street, Ardwick, Manchester, one of the Irish deportees, was released, not upon grounds of ill-health, but because he was arrested by mistake?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANMcGlyn was released partly on the ground of health and 2246 partly because he had given an undertaking not to take part in activities against the Free State Government. He was not arrested by mistake.