DETENTION OF PERSONS

Grey River Argus, 24 July 1942, Page 1

DETENTION OF PERSONS

BRITISH WAR REGULATIONS.

LONDON. July 21

Defence Regulation 18(d), under which the Home Secretary (Mr. Herbert Morrison) is empowered to detain persons was debated in the Blouse of Commons to-day. Commander R. T. Bower strongly attacked the power given to the Home Secretary, and said that the principles involved were contrary to British justice. One of the main oblections to the regulations was that the Home Secretary could take action against any individual without the right of anneal. The Home Secretary, In reply sain that great discrimination was shown before the regulations were applied The total number of persons detained under regulation 188 at one time or another was 1817, of whom 1335 were detained in May. June, and July, 1940. The total number released was 1288. There were ■ now 529 detained, of whom 322 were of hostile origin or association, and 141 were picked un under the regulation, such as members of the British Union of Fascists. Mr. Morrison told the House that it had the right at any time to intervene if it thought that the Home Secretary was not exercising his powers discreetly.