§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Home Secretary if he will specify the statutory authority, if any, under which books sent to the untried Irish prisoners of war at Frongoch were prevented from reaching them and confiscated instead of being returned to the senders whose names and addresses were given; and what has been done with this private property?
§ Mr. BRACEThe authority for censorship is the Royal Warrant for the Maintenance of Discipline. As regards the question of return, the Censor's Office were authorised at the beginning of last November to inform inquirers that the return of rejected literature could not be guaranteed. Very little was stopped by1938W the Censor, and such books and pamphlets as were stopped are probably still in his office.
§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Home Secretary who is responsible for his incorrect information regarding Tierney, now in Denbigh Asylum as the result of cruelty in Frongoch Camp; whether there is any independent denial of the charge that he was forced to travel from hospital before he was fit for removal; why were the repeated representations of his colleagues in the camp regarding him, since confirmed by the results, disregarded; did punishment in the South Camp involve physical and mental deprivations injurious in such a case; in view of Mrs. Tierney's assertion that her husband never before suffered from mental trouble, who is it attributes a contrary statement to her; and whether, to accelerate his recovery, Tierney will be transferred to an asylum near enough for his wife and friends to visit him frequently?
§ Mr. BRACEThe Home Secretary's answer of 28th of February on this matter was correct, and I must refer the hon. Member to it. No representations about Tierney's condition were made to the commandant or to the staff until the head leader reported his illness on the morning of 20th November last, when he was at once removed to hospital. I am informed that the order on which Tierney was admitted to the asylum states that Mrs. Tierney informed the doctor that he often had attacks of temporary loss of memory and confused ideas. The Home Office is making inquiry for an asylum nearer London to which Tierney could be removed.