HC Deb 12 October 1944 vol 403 cc1927-9
44. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many British subjects are now detained under Regulation 18B; and how many of these were members of the British Union, of the Right Club and of other organisations of a Fascist or other anti-democratic nature.

Mr. H. Morrison

The number of British subjects detained under the Regulation is 114. As the hon. Member is aware, membership of the British Union is only one of the grounds of detention under the Regulation. The great majority are detained on the grounds of hostile origin or associations—many being persons who, though British subjects by birth in this country, also possess enemy nationality. Persons detained on these other grounds are not classified according to whether or not they have belonged at any time to a Fascist or anti-democratic organisation, and I am not, therefore, in a position to give the information asked for.

Mr. Driberg

Is there any point in keeping the small fry in any longer, when the arch-traitors are released?

Mr. Morrison

I will take note of my hon. Friend's wish that all persons detained under 18B shall be released.

Mr. Shinwell

Is it not likely that some of those detained under 18B are less responsible for subversive action than the hon. and gallant Member for Peebles and Southern (Captain Ramsay) whom he has released? Why does he make this distinction? Can he explain why distinction is made between the hon. and gallant Member for Peebles who has been released, and the others who are still incarcerated?

Mr. Morrison

There is a distinction of some sort about every person released under Defence Regulation 18B. There must be some order of priority, and that I try to apply as fairly as I can. Clearly the reason must be that I thought it safer to let out the hon. and gallant Member for Peebles than some of the people who are still inside, but they will all be considered in due course. My hon. Friend questions whether I have been fairly administering the Regulation. I have tried to do so, and he must take it that I am forced to let people out in order of priority, which has relation to the interests of public security.

Mr. Shinwell

But would my right hon. Friend not be disposed to agree—I give him credit for all sincerity and integrity in this matter—that where an hon. Member is concerned, there ought to be no No. 1 priority but that he should be the last to be liberated because of his public responsibility?

Mr. Morrison

The position of a Member of Parliament cuts both ways. It can be argued in his favour; it can, in certain respects, be argued against him. I can assure my hon. Friend that the issue in these cases is one of balance of consideration against consideration. I do my best and, honestly, I feel that the Regulation has been fairly administered and that it is right, in the circumstances, to release some people before others, and to keep others until later.