§ 92. Mr. TREVELYANasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make inquiries from the authorities of the Irish Free State as to whether Mr. Gilbert Francis Barrington, a British subject whose home is in 90, Mowbray Road, South Shields, who was arrested on 26th February in Ireland and has been lying since in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, without trial, can be allowed to see a solicitor and his brother, who have so far been refused access to him?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)I regret that I am not yet in a position to reply to this question. Perhaps, therefore, the hon. Member will put it down again for Thursday.
§ 105. Mr. PRINGLEasked the Home Secretary whether he has received from the deportees in Mountjoy Prison a statement of their case and a request that 244 they be put on trial on a definite charge; and whether he will read their statement to the House and indicate what reply he has made?
The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Bridge-man)I would refer to the reply which I gave yesterday to a similar question by the hon. Member for Battersea North (Mr. Saklatvala).
Mr. SHINWELLHaving regard to the widespread dissatisfaction on this matter in the country, will the right hon. Gentleman give hon. Members an opportunity to visit these internees whenever they desire?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI have already answered that question. I am not aware of widespread dissatisfaction in the country.
Mr. SHINWELLIf the right hon. Gentleman will take the assurance that I give him that there is dissatisfaction, will he give permission of the kind I have indicated?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANNo, I cannot do that.
§ Mr. J. JONESWhen are we going to get answers to the letters we have sent to the right hon. Gentleman regarding the case of British deportees who have been sent to Ireland without trial Are they going to be kept in internment camps until after Easter?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not now arise.