HC Deb 16 December 1943 vol 395 cc1712-4W
Captain Ramsay

asked the Home Secretary how many persons of British birth and parentage are still detained under Regulation 18B; of this number how many have declined to appear before the Home Office Advisory Committee; and how many have declined after becoming acquainted with that body's procedure to attend any subsequent interrogations?

Mr. H. Morrison

The statistics are not kept on a basis of birth or parentage and the precise information asked for in the first part of the Question is accordingly not available. Out of the 299 persons still detained, 235 were detained on the grounds of their hostile origin and associations, while some of the remainder, who are detained on other grounds, are also of foreign origin. Twenty-one of the persons detained have not made objections to, or appeared before, the Advisory Committee.

Captain Ramsay

asked the Home Secretary how many persons, in addition to Mr. Cahir Healy, M.P., have been released from detention under Regulation 18B without ever consenting to appear before the Advisory Committee; and how many have been released although they refused invitations to attend supplementary interrogations?

Mr. Morrison

The statistical information asked for is not available and could not be compiled without an expenditure of time which could not be warranted in present circumstances.

Captain Ramsay

asked the Home Secretary whether, in the case of persons detained under Regulation 18s who have declined at any time to appear before the Home Office Advisory Committee, any steps have, at any time, been taken to verify or check the statements alleged against these persons by secret informers, which led the Home Secretary to conclude that he had reasonable grounds for their original detention, or in what manner are cases periodically reviewed?

Mr. Morrison

There is no foundation for the suggestion that there are persons who have not made objections to the Advisory Committee and who are being detained on the unverified and unchecked statements of secret informers. If a person fails to exercise his right to make objections to the Advisory Committee or to make representations to the Secretary of State, the question is nevertheless reviewed from time to time whether it is still necessary to detain him, and decisions are taken by reference both to the facts of the particular case and to any changed conditions which may affect the degree of risk involved in his release.