§ Mr. KINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has inquired into the case of two brothers named Durkin, of 11, Fletcher Street, Wallgate, Wigan; whether he is aware that these men were taken away from their mother and sister, whom they support, and sent to Ashton-under-Lyne; why the mother and family are refused any information about them and are not allowed to write to these men; where these men now are; whether they have been punished, and, if so, for what offence and with what punishment; and what action he proposes to take?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am not aware that the two brothers named Durkin have been treated as stated. If these men have been sentenced to detention my hon. Friend will find in the Rules for "Detention Barracks" the conditions under which detained men can communicate with their relatives. As I have indicated, the War Office do not possess any information to enable them to answer the two penultimate parts of the question.