§ Mr. McManusasked the Prime Minister whether the official statement that the Compton Commission has already investigated allegations similar to those quoted in the Sunday Times newspaper of 17th August was made with his authority.
§ Mr. MaudlingI have been asked to reply.
Yes.
§ Mr. McManusasked the Prime Minister how he intends to inform prisoners released since 9th August, 1971, that 470W the terms of Sir Edmund Compton's inquiry have now been extended to cover complaints originally excluded.
§ Mr. MaudlingI have been asked to reply.
The terms of reference of Sir Edmund Compton's Committee of Inquiry have not been changed.
§ Mr. McManusasked the Prime Minister when he asked that the Sunday Times should make available evidence on torture and disorientation to Sir Edmund Compton.
§ Mr. MaudlingI have been asked to reply.
The Committe asked at a Press conference on 2nd September that anybody holding first-hand evidence of allegations should submit them, and I am informed that the Committee specifically asked the Sunday Times on 16th September if it would assist the inquiry by making available to them any evidence of allegations of maltreatment it might hold.
§ Mr. McManusasked the Prime Minister on what date, and with what terms of reference a Commission of Inquiry under the chairmanship of Sir Edmund Compton was established to investigate recent events in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. MaudlingI have been asked to reply.
On 31st August. To investigate allegations by those arrested on 9th August under the Civil Authorities (Special Powers) Act (Northern Ireland), 1922, of physical burtality while in the custody of the security forces prior to either their subsequent release, the preferring of a criminal charge or their being lodged in a place specified in a detention order.
§ Mr. McManusasked the Prime Minister whether it is intended that the Compton Commission should make inquiries both of prisoners now in the detention camps and prisoners who have been released since 10th August.
§ Mr. MaudlingI have been asked to reply.
Yes, as regards those within their terms of reference.
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§ Mr. McManusasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the terms of reference of the Compton Commission do not extend to times when military and other personnel had opportunities of maltreating those held under the Special Powers Act; and if he will take steps to widen the terms of reference to include such matters.
§ Mr. MaudlingI have been asked to reply.
The Commitee's terms of reference have been published and repeated in an answer which I have given today to another Question by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. McManusasked the Prime Minister if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the text of his statement on 18th August, 1971, concerning the extension of the terms of reference of Sir Edmund Compton's Committee of Inquiry to enable it to deal with matters occurring outside the first stated time limits.
§ Mr. MaudlingI have been asked to reply.
There have been no changes in the Committee's terms of reference since it was appointed on 31st August.