§ 25. Mr. Wedgwoodasked the Home Secretary what charges have been preferred against Mr. Leslie Tessler, at present detained in Pentonville Prison since August; why his case has not been brought before a judge or a magistrate; and will he order his release if the charges do not justify his continued detention?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThis alien was detained under an Order made under Art. 12 (5A) of the Aliens Order, 1920, as subsequently amended, on the grounds that it was impracticable to enforce a Deportation Order which had been made against him, and that his detention was necessary or expedient for securing the maintenance of public order. His case was recently reviewed by the Advisory Committee appointed to consider the cases of persons detained in pursuance of this power, and, having considered the Committee's recommendations, I decided to release Tessler. He was set at liberty on 8th January.
§ 31. Mr. Marcus Samuelasked the Home Secretary whether he is acting with the same celerity in the review of cases of British subjects detained under Regulation 18B as he is in that of aliens?
§ Mr. MorrisonYes, Sir.
§ Mr. SamuelWill the right hon. Gentleman give as much consideration to British subjects as to foreigners?
§ Mr. MorrisonYes, Sir.
38. Viscountess Davidsonasked the Home Secretary how many recommendations have been received from the Home Office Advisory Committee appointed to hear appeals from persons detained under Defence Regulation 18B; and in how 657 many cases is his decision still outstanding?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe figures are approximately 1,300 and 300 respectively.
39. Viscountess Davidsonasked the Home Secretary, taking into consideration the fact that the women detained in Holloway Prison under Defence Regulation 18B are not convicts, whether he will consider transferring them, if they so wish aster their appeal has been heard, to the Isle of Man or to some other women's camp where they would get proper exercise and suitable amenities?
§ Mr. MorrisonI have already been considering this point. While there is nothing to prevent detention in the Isle of Man of persons of enemy nationality detained under the Prerogative, I am advised that my powers of detaining other persons under the Emergency Powers Act do not cover detention in the Isle of Man. I am, however, examining the question whether it is practicable to arrange that any of the latter class of persons who volunteer to go to the Island can be sent there.
§ Miss RathboneWill the right hon. Gentleman, if he does send these people to the Isle of Man, take care that they are so placed that they are not in a position to conduct Fascist propaganda among their fellow internees, of which there are some cases?
§ Mr. MorrisonI will consider that point, which, indeed, reflects the general policy of the Department in so far as it is practicable to apply it, but I should be rather comforted if I could feel that the anti-Fascists and the anti-Nazis would not be altogether unwilling to engage in propaganda themselves.
§ Sir Hugh O'NeillWould that apply to men detained in Brixton Prison?
§ Mr. MorrisonThis is a question about women, and it is not so easy in the case of men, but that point is under consideration.
§ 40. Miss Rathboneasked the Home Secretary whether the aliens of friendly nationalities formerly detained in prisons and now removed to Lingfield are still receiving rations based on the scale for convicted prisoners or whether they are getting the same dietary as refugees and other aliens of enemy nationality in other intern- 658 ment camps; and whether the removal of such detainees to internment camps is now complete?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe aliens of non-enemy nationality removed from prison to Ling-field Camp are receiving the same dietary as aliens of enemy nationality detained in internment camps. As regards the last part of the Question, the removal of the men detained is practically completed, and the question of providing alternative accommodation for the women still detained in prison is receiving active consideration.
§ 41. Miss Rathboneasked the Home Secretary whether he has been able to make arrangements for the removal of alien women detained at Holloway Prison to an internment camp or to some suitable hostel; and whether there is likely to be further delay about this, will he arrange that such women while at Holloway shall receive the diet provided in internment camps and not that prescribed for convicted prisoners?
§ Mr. MorrisonMost of the women of enemy nationality who were detained at Holloway have been removed to the Isle of Man. No suitable alternative accommodation for the alien women of other nationalities has yet been found, but every endeavour is being made to provide such accommodation. The arrangements at Holloway are not such as to enable a separate diet to be provided for these women, but it is open to them to supplement the diet by private purchases.
§ Miss RathboneIs the Home Secretary aware that there are among these women a considerable number who have no means and are destitute, and is it suitable that they should have a prison diet, while in the internment camp, the internees are receiving a superior diet; and will he hasten the removal of these women from prison?
§ Mr. MorrisonI want to get them out of prison, if I can find other accommodation, which I hope to do, but in the meantime, I am afraid that it is not possible administratively to distinguish between the diets in prison.
65. Captain Shawasked the Home Secretary whether it has been found possible, under Brixton Prison regulations, strictly to comply with the provisions set forth in Command Paper 6162?
§ Mr. MorrisonYes, Sir, except that it has hitherto not been possible to arrange for meals in association. Now that the numbers detained in prison are of more manageable proportions, consideration is to be given to this question. The detained persons have been allowed to associate during the hours set apart for labour although they do not work and, if the rules were enforced strictly, they would be kept in their cells during these hours.
Captain ShawIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these people do not get all the privileges that a prisoner on remand gets; and will he see that they do get such privileges?
§ Mr. MorrisonI think my answer indicates that the undertaking given in the White Paper has been substantially carried out.
Captain ShawBut will the right hon. Gentleman see that they get the same privileges as prisoners on remand?
66. Captain Shawasked the Home Secretary whether he will institute a judicial inquiry to report on the working of the advisory committee dealing with persons detained under the Defence of the Realm Act, Regulation 18B?
§ Mr. MorrisonI am not aware of the need for any such inquiry.
Captain ShawDoes not my right hon. Friend think there are good reasons for instituting a judicial inquiry to report on this matter?
§ Mr. MorrisonI do not agree. I have read the reports in all cases under Regulation 18B—they have run into several hundreds—and I think these Advisory Committees carry out their work adequately.