§ 65. Mr. R. C. Morrisonasked the Home Secretary for what reason Mr. J. P. Brown, of Hillside Road, Stamford Hill, a member of the Post Office Engineering Union, was arrested at his place of employment, Tottenham Telephone 542 Exchange, on 17th April, and has since been detained in custody?
§ Mr. PeakeMr. Brown was arrested by the police under the Prevention of Violence (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1939, as a person suspected of being concerned in the preparation or instigation of acts of violence as denned in that Act. My right hon. Friend, having satisfied himself, after careful inquiry, that there was reasonable cause to believe that Mr. Brown was so concerned, made an order for his detention under Defence Regulation 18B but gave instructions that he should be given the option of leaving the country in lieu of remaining in detention. He did not exercise his right to make objections to the Advisory Committee, but accepted this option and left for Eire on the 25th instant.
§ Mr. MorrisonIs the hon. Member aware that this lad is only about 19 years of age, that his father and mother are both dead, that he has lived in North London all his life and went to school there and cannot have very much connection with the country to which he has gone?
§ Mr. PeakeI have explained that my right hon. Friend made very close inquiries and satisfied himself that this man was concerned in what are known as I.R.A. activities.
§ Mr. SilvermanCan the hon. Member say whether his right hon. Friend came to the decision at which he did arrive and gave this man the option which he has mentioned in between the date on which the original arrest was made and the date on which this question appeared on the Order Paper?