Major BARNESasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is now in a position to state whether the 70 prisoners awaiting trial for political offences at the time of the passing of the Restoration of Order in Ireland Act have been brought to trial under that Act, with the exception of the eight hunger-strikers; and with what result in each case?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI do not know from what source my hon. and gallant Friend obtained the figure mentioned by him. In my speech on the Bill in this House on the 5th August I mentioned that there were 76 such prisoners awaiting trial, but on the date on which the operation of Regulations made under the Act began, namely, 20th August, there were 94. Of these, 19 were discharged without trial on a review of the evidence against them, nine are on hunger strike, and two 1951W have died. Of the remaining 64, 26 were acquitted, one was bound to the peace, three were fined, 32 were sentenced to terms of imprisonment varying from one day to two years, and two were sentenced to penal servitude.