HC Deb 21 January 1941 vol 368 cc24-5
48. Mr. Mander

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider making immediate arrangements to secure that, in the event of any further hon. Member being detained under Regulation 18B, the Advisory Committee to consider his case shall be composed of his colleagues of this House, with a view to safeguarding him against any possible misuse of the powers conferred?

The Prime Minister

I am most anxious that there shall be full safeguards against any possible abuse of these powers, not only in the exceptional case of a Member of Parliament, but in every case where a citizen is detained under this Regulation, and I cannot accept the suggestion that the existing procedure does not provide adequate safeguards.

Commander Sir Archibald Southby

Will my right hon. Friend consider the possibility of giving time for the discussion of the Motion standing upon the Order Paper in the name of the hon. and gallant Member for Epsom, which I hope he has now had time to read?

[That, in the opinion of this House, Regulation 18B of the Defence (General) Regulations should be modified so as to provide that the detention of a Member of this House, under the powers conferred by that Regulation, should be reported immediately to the House and should not continue without the approval of the House after consideration of the charges against the Member and his defence against them.]

The Prime Minister

That, I think, is one of those matters which is settled through the usual channels.

Mr. Mander

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there is a good deal of support for this suggestion in different quarters of the House? Perhaps, if the occasion should ever arise, he will not let it pass from his mind.