McENTEE:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is his intention to recommend an amnesty to all Irish political prisoners now confined in prison in England and Scotland?

Mr. DAVIES:

The Home Secretary has no authority as respects the duration of the imprisonment of persons convicted and sentenced in Northern Ireland who have been transferred to English prisons. That is a matter for the Government of Northern Ireland. If, however, the hon. Member is thinking of persons convicted by the Courts in England of offences connected or thought to be connected in some way with the Irish political situation, all I can say is that my right hon. Friend is always prepared to give consideration to representations that may be made to him with reference to the circumstances of any particular case. Any question relating to prisoners in Scotland should be addressed to the Secretary for Scotland.

Will the hon. Member's Department make representations to the Department concerned in Northern Ireland so as to have the cases of prisoners in this country considered favourably with a view to an amnesty?

Are we to understand from the answer that it is proposed to treat the cases of these prisoners on a basis different from that of other persons who have suffered imprisonment?

Mr. DAVIES:

I do not think there is anything in my reply to indicate that.