MOSLEY’S RELEASE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21260, 24 November 1943, Page 3

MOSLEY’S RELEASE

FULL STATEMENT HEALTH ENDANGERED RESTRICTIVE CONDITIONS (By Teleßraiih—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Britisn Official Wireless.) (10 a.m.) RUGBY, Nov. 23. In a full House of Commons statement on the release of Sir Oswald Mosley, the Home Secretary, Mr. Herbert Morrison, made it clear that the decision was taken after the consideration of two questions—the state of Sir Oswald Mosley’s health and the possible harm to national ’ security which his release might cause. The health question, Mr. Morrison revealed, was discussed between the medical commissioner for prisons, two prison doctors and Lord Dawson of Penn and Dr. Geoffrey Evans. Doctors’ Verdict “The opinion of these five doctors was unanimous that if the patient remained under conditions inseparable from detention there would be a substantial risk that thrombo-phlebitis, from which he is suffering, extending to that producing permanent damage to his health and even danger to life,” the Home Secretary continued. “On receipt of this authoritative advice I had to consider, first, whether I ought to take the responsibility for retaining this subject to the permanent damage of his health and po.ssibly danger to his life. On this point I can only say that, while consideration of national security must come first, I was not prepared, subject to this consideration, to let anyone die in detention unnecessarily. The alternative was to consider whether there should be substituted for detention some system of control approximating to house arrest. I have authorised the release in the belief that, in the present circumstances, adequate control can be maintained by the restrictions I have imposed. If for any reason it should become necessary on the grounds of public security to bring him back, medical considerations would not be an obstacle to a course dictated by the national interests.” House in Country

Mr. Morrison then enumerated the restrictions. Sir Oswald Mosley is to reside at a specified house in the country and is prohibited from travelling more than seven miles. He is to report in person to the police each month. Fie is not to associate or directly or indirectly communicate with any person who has been a member of the British Union other than members of his family or his wife’s family. He is not to associate directly or indirectly or communicate with any other person for the purpose of promoting or assisting in the promotion of political activities. He is not to publish or cause or permit to be. published any book, article, news- 1 paper, newsletter, periodical, pamphlet, leaflet, poster or circular. He is not to make any public speech or interview to a journalist or other person for the purpose of publication.