HC Deb 06 August 1942 vol 382 cc1179-80
67. Mr. Stokes

asked the Home Secretary what steps have been taken to conform to the judgment of Mr. Justice Humphreys, on, 24th May, 1941, wherein it was stated that any person detained under Regulation 18B was entitled to know at the outset the precise grounds for his detention?

Mr. H. Morrison

In the case in question a clerical mistake had been made in the copy of the Order of Detention which had been served on the suspect, and it was this mistake which prompted the learned Judge's observations. As was made clear in the subsequent legal proceedings, the effect of the judgment is that a person detained under Defence Regulation 18B is entitled at the outset to be informed precisely, in the sense of accurately, of the grounds stated in the Order for his detention. I made a full statement to the House about the case on 10th June, 1941, and said I had taken steps to ensure that in future the documents issued after an Order of Detention has been made shall be carefully checked.

Mr. Stokes

Does the right hon. Gentleman regard the practice of merely telling people that at one time they belonged to an organisation which has been banned, as precise grounds, in the sense of the term in which the learned Judge used the words?

Mr. Morrison

My hon. Friend is on another point, which has nothing to do with the one in the Question.

Mr. Stokes

It is the whole point.