HC Deb 17 October 1940 vol 365 cc800-1
18. Mr. Stokes

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that 67 women have been detained under Section 18B since the beginning of June; that only 15 of them have been before the Advisory Committee; and how soon he expects the hearing of their cases to be completed and what has been the reason for delay?

Mr. H. Morrison

I am informed that about 40 of these cases have been before an Advisory Committee. The committees have recently been enlarged, and I hope that it will not be long before they are able to dispose of all outstanding cases.

Mr. Stokes

Does the Minister realise that these people have been detained for a considerable time, and that the conditions tinder which they have been detained are quite impossible?

43. Mr. Stokes

asked the Home Secretary when the case of Mrs. Shelmerdine, aged 27, detained under Section 18B since early in July will be heard by the Advisory Committee?

Mr. Morrison

An application for a writ of habeas corpus has been made by Mrs. Shelmerdine, and it will not be possible for the committee to hear her case in the meantime.

Mr. Stokes

Is the Minister aware that this lady is the mother of two young children, and is it not utterly un-British to keep her locked up without any charge being made against her for a considerably long time?

Mr. Morrison

That may be so, but as the case is sub judice, I cannot say any- thing about the merits of the case, which will be for the consideration of the court.

53. Sir Francis Fremantle (for Sir Ernest Graham-Little)

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a member of the Emergency Medical Service, a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, has without any warning or reason given been put under arrest in Brixton prison; and on what grounds this action has been taken?

Mr. Morrison

This doctor was detained on 20th September under Defence Regulation 18B as a person of hostile associations and as having been concerned in acts prejudicial to the public safety or the defence of the realm. He has exercised his right of making objections to the Advisory Committee, who will hear his case as soon as practicable.