HC Deb 16 February 1920 vol 125 cc529-30W
Lieut.-Colonel MALONE

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the recent arrest and imprisonment of the lord mayor of Dublin and other Irish Members of Parliament and public persons was carried out in accordance with instructions from the Cabinet, or on the initiative of the Irish Executive; what was the purpose of these arrests; and on what grounds were these particular individuals selected from the large number of their associates engaged on similar work, and with identical political faith?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave on the 12th inst., to the hon. and gallant Member for Hull Central. These deportations have been effected with the authority of the Cabinet.

Mr. ADAMSON

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. Morgan, a member of the Thurles trades council and elected chairman of the Thurles urban council, has been arrested; whether he is aware that Mr. Morgan's wife is in a delicate state of health and very anxious about her husband, of whose whereabouts she knows nothing; whether he will state the reason for his arrest; whether it is proposed to bring him to trial; and where Mr. Morgan is at present incarcerated.

Mr. MACPHERSON

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am informed that Mrs. Morgan is not in bad health. Under an Order made in pursuance of the Defence of the Realm Regulations Mr. Morgan has been deported from Ireland and interned in Wormwood Scrubbs Prison as a person suspected of having acted, and being about to act in a manner prejudicial to the public safety and the Defence of the Realm.