§ 15. Mr. Radfordasked the Home Secretary whether his attention had been drawn to the prosecution, last week, at Southampton, of a Miss Mary Tuk, for flashing a torch towards the sky during an air-raid on Southampton, who violently resisted arrest, assaulted a policeman, and shouted abuse of England; and will he, at the expiration of the four months' imprisonment to which she was sentenced, either have her put under restraint or deported to Eire, whence she originally came under a different name?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI have had inquiry made in this case. The offences committed by this woman have been dealt with by prosecution and conviction, and I have no doubt that the sentence imposed by the justices will have a salutary effect. On the information before me, the case is not one in which the public interest requires any such action on my part as my hon. Friend suggests.
§ Mr. RadfordDoes not my right hon. Friend agree that a woman who behaves as this woman behaved on this occasion will be a constant public menace if she is allowed to be free?
§ Mr. MorrisonThis was a case where the woman was very naughty and said things she ought not to have said, but the fact is that she has been given four months' imprisonment for the offence. While I reserve the right of internment, if, on security grounds, I think it is necessary, nevertheless I think I must be very careful in accepting the principle that if a citizen has been punished and imprisoned, I should go further.
§ Mr. RadfordMy right hon. Friend has made no effort to refer to the alternative, that of deporting this woman to her country of origin. Is it right, with losses to civilian life of men, women and children continually taking place, that we should keep at liberty a woman who has deliberately signalled to German airmen when raiding Southampton?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe answer in regard to deporting her to Ireland is that I have no powers to do so.
§ Mr. RadfordIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the question again at the earliest possible moment.