§ Mr. DUNNICOasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Sarah Macdermott, an interned Irish deportee, asserts that she made application to appear before the advisory committee on 6th March, and again on 24th March, without result; that a solicitor's letter forwarded to her several weeks ago has not been delivered to her; whether he has seen an extract from a letter sent by this person to her sister containing charges of ill-treatment, and intimating that she can produce witnesses to substantiate her statement, and that she is also prepared to swear an affidavit; whether he will make inquiries into these allegations; what steps he proposes to take to protect persons deported under his orders; and whether he will take the necessary steps to secure that the person concerned shall be enabled to appeal before the advisory committee?
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§ Mr. BRIDGEMANAs Miss McDermott was not arrested until the 11th March, I do not understand the reference to an application of the 6th March. I have received an application dated the 25th April, and this will be considered by the Advisory Committee on the 11th instant, when Miss McDermott will be allowed to appear in person. I have not previously heard of the solicitor's letter, but if the hon. Member will furnish further particulars, I will make inquiry. I have seen the extract referred to, and have already made inquiries which satisfy me that the charges are either unfounded or grossly exaggerated. Nothing has come to my notice either in connection with this incident or otherwise which suggests that the internees are not being properly treated by the Free State authorities.