§ 49. Commander Bowerasked the Prime Minister on what grounds he has satisfied himself that the powers granted by Parliament, under Regulation 18B, to the Secretary of State for the Home Department have not been abused, having regard to the fact that detentions under this regulation are at the sole discretion of the Secretary of State for the Home Department, who is not bound to disclose his reasons for any such detention?
§ The Prime MinisterThis matter has been fully debated in the House of Commons on three occasions, and, having regard to the provision made by the Regulation for the hearing of objections by Advisory Committees and to the facilities afforded to persons detained to communicate with Members of Parliament, I have no doubt that if these powers had been abused, it would not have escaped the notice of Parliament or of His Majesty's Government.