HC Deb 02 December 1943 vol 395 cc557-8W
Sir C. Headlam

asked the Home Secretary how many members of the British Union of Fascists are still in detention under Order No. 18B?

Mr. Price

asked the Home Secretary the number of persons belonging to the British Union of Fascists who are now being detained under Regulation 18B?

Mr. H. Morrison

Of the persons who were detained under paragraph (1A) of Regulation 18B on the ground of their membership of, or activity in the furtherance of the objects of, the British Union, 29 are still in detention. In addition, 287 persons still remain in detention under other provisions of Defence Regulation 18B, some of whom were connected with the British Union.

Sir H. Williams

asked the Home Secretary how many persons known to be members of the Communist Party have at any time been interned under Regulation 18B; and how many are now so interned?

Mr. Morrison

Persons who have been, or are, detained under this Regulation may include some who are Communists but no person has been detained merely on the ground of membership of the Communist Party.

Sir E. Graham-Little

asked the Home Secretary whether he will now reconsider the case, details of which have been sent to him, of a lady who has been detained under 18B in Holloway prison since April, 1940, on the grounds that she had a German mother, was partly educated in Germany, and has many German friends, as several responsible British subjects have offered to supply personal guarantees for this lady's loyalty as a British subject, and her mother, who has lived for the last 50 years in England is now over 80 years of age and is in need of her daughter's company and help?

Mr. Morrison

This case was already noted for review. I will inform my hon. Friend of my decision in due course.