§ Mr. DUNNICOasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that both visiting justices and sanitary inspectors are denied admission to the prisons in which the British subjects deported to Ireland are interned; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made as to ensure the cleanliness of these prisons and take such steps as may be necessary to secure 2782W humane conditions for these persons pending their release?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMAN:As was explained in the course of the Debate last Monday, apart form those matters of vital importance upon which definite undertakings, already fully explained to the House, were obtained from the Free State Government, the Regulations governing the custody of the deportees have been left to that Government, who, I am sure, can be trusted to make fair Regulations. I am prepared to pass on to the Free State Government any representation from a responsible quarter touching the interests of the deportees, but I cannot impugn the efficiency or the humanity of the arrangements made by them.
§ Mr. DUNNICOasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that neither letters nor parcels have been delivered to the deported prisoners in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, since Saturday last; and that a request to provide Miss Kathleen Brooks with a change of clothing was refused and the applicant informed that if the prisoner made application to the doctor she would be provided with prison clothing; and whether, in view of this state of affairs, he will take such steps as may be required to protect the rights of these deported prisoners?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMAN:I am in communication with the Free State Government in regard to the matters referred to in the question. I have not yet received their reply, but when I do, I will communicate with the hon. Member.
§ Mr. DUNNICOasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Mr. Francis Brooks, brother to Miss Kathleen Brooks, now interned in Ireland, proceeded to Dublin a week ago for the purpose of interviewing his sister; that, after making four applications to the acting governor, he was informed that neither ho nor a legal representative could be granted permission to interview Miss Brooks; and whether, in view of the assurance given to the House that facilities would not be denied for such visits as that referred to, he will communicate with the Irish Free State Government and request that the assurances given shall be honourably fulfilled?
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§ Mr. BRIDGEMAN:I understand that Mr. Brooks, not being the legal representative of the lady interned, was, in accordance with the Rules, refused permission to see her. My assurance to the House related only to legal advisers to interned persons, and I have reason to think that the difficulty in this case arose from the fact that application was made to the wrong authority. If any legal representative intending to proceed from this country for the purpose of interviewing a deportee will communicate the date of his visit to the Home Office beforehand, I can promise that the application will at once be conveyed to the proper quarter.
Captain BENNasked the Home Secretary whether he will publish the terms of the agreement with the Free State Government respecting the treatment of the deportees; whether this is an agreement which binds succeeding Free State Governments; whether he will consult the House before permitting the trial of any of these persons by the Free State, in particular trial before the military courts; and whether there is any precedent for internment under Regulation 14b outside the jurisdiction of the Homo Office?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMAN:I regret that I cannot add to the very full statements made by the Attorney-General and myself in recent Debates in regard to the arrangements with the Free State Government. I have no reason to think that the undertakings given to me will not be honoured by any succeeding Free State Government. The arrangement in regard to further proceedings against any of the interned persons was fully described by the Attorney-General in reply to a Private Notice question by the hon. Member for Aberavon Monday last. The question whether in a particular instance there is a primả facie case for proceedings is, I venture to think, not one on which I could properly consult the House. With regard to the last part of the question, I would point out that the question of jurisdiction was raised in the ease of Brady which was decided by the Courts. There was also the case of Father Dominic who in July, 1922, was deported under the same procedure and required to reside within the jurisdiction of the Provisional Government.