asked the Minister for Defence if he will state (a) the number of persons interned under the Emergency Powers Act, without trial, in the various places of internment in Eire; (b) the conditions governing visits to internees; (c) the rules governing the receipt of parcels by internees; (d) if internees are allowed to purchase goods at canteens, and, if so, the nature of such goods and the prices at which obtainable; (e) if internees are supplied with suitable clothing, especially articles of underwear, and, if not, what provision is made to ensure that internees will not suffer hardship through cold, arising from insufficiency of clothing, especially during winter months.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Internees under Emergency Powers Act.
(a) On the 4th November, 1940, the number of persons interned under the Emergency Powers (No. 20) Order, 1940, and detained in military custody was 462. These internees are detained at the No. 1 Internment Camp, Curragh Camp, County Kildare.
(b) Internees in military custody may receive one visit per month from relatives. Not more than three persons together are allowed to visit an internee. Internees may also be granted interviews with their legal advisers.
(c) Internees may receive parcels of clothing and stationery, books and newspapers approved by the Camp Commandant. All parcels are subject to examination by the camp staff before being given to the internees.
(d) A canteen has been established at the No. 1 Internment Camp, at which internees may, in accordance with a token or voucher system, purchase, as against moneys held on their behalf by the Camp Commandant, tobacco, cigarettes, fruit, stationery, toilet requisites and other materials approved by the Commandant. The prices charged are, generally speaking, the ordinary retail prices for such goods.
(e) Supplies of clothing may be sent to the internees by their relatives or friends or may be purchased, through the Camp Commandant, from moneys held on their behalf by him. In necessitous rases and where the internees cannot otherwise obtain supplies of clothing, the Camp Commandant is authorised to issue articles of clothing (including underwear) from Army stocks.