§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the report of the Committee of Inquiry into the treatment of persons arrested during the 48 hours following the introduction of internment under the Special Powers Act in Northern Ireland will also cover their treatment and the conditions under which they have continued to be detained during any other period since their arrest.]
§ THE SECRETARY 0F STATE FOR DEFENCE (LORD CARRINGTON)My Lords, the noble Lord will now have seen the Report of the Compton Committee which makes clear the scope of their Inquiry and the cases which fell within it. The conditions under which internees are held have been inspected by an all-Party group from Westminster and by the International Red Cross.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Answer, may I ask whether he is aware that this Question was tabled at the announcement of the Inquiry, when there was some uncertainty about its scope? May I further ask whether the Inquiry will be limited to those who were arrested on August 9 and the three persons mentioned in the Sunday Times, or is it also possible to make an inquiry on a much larger number of internees who have been arrested on other dates?
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, that is not the Question which the noble Lord has on the Order Paper; but I can say that this matter is under consideration.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, in view of the fact that the noble Lord, Lord Carrington, referred to the Red Cross have free and unlimited opportunities to visit these camps if they so desire?
§ LORD CARRINGTONYes, my Lords, they get the fullest possible facilities.