§ 38. Major Stourtonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state how many detainees are held under Regulation 18B of the Defence of the Realm Act, and of these the number who have been imprisoned for a period exceeding three years.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonOn 31st December the number of persons still detained under the Regulation was 266, of whom 221 had been detained for more than three years.
§ Major StourtonIn view of the suffering inflicted on those who have been incarcerated for a long period without any charge being made against them, will my right hon. Friend consider finally releasing them?
§ Mr. MorrisonI wish that hon. Members would not persist in the argument about persons being detained without trial. It is beside the point, for these persons would not be dealt with under 18B if they could be brought up for trial.