§ 3. Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for India whether proceedings have been instituted against any person or persons arising out of the death by suffocation of the 64 Moplah prisoners on 19th November last; 1689 and whether the type of railway van used on that occasion is being used for the conveyance of prisoners?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI have not yet received the orders passed by the Madras Government. I am confident that every precaution is being taken against a repetition of the disaster.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYIf I put a question down in about a week's time, will the right hon. Gentleman have any further information to give on this question?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI will let the hon. and gallant Gentleman know when I get the telegram announcing the decision of the Madras Government. I am expecting it every moment.
Sir J. D. REESIs it not already known that there is no objection to the type of wagon used on that occasion, but that the ventilator was unfortunately choked with paint?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI understand that my hon. and gallant Friend's anxiety is that there should be no repetition of this incident, and I am anxious to assure him that every step is being taken to prevent a repetition of this occurrence.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODHas he read the strictures passed upon this class of wagon by the traffic superintendent of the line? Has he read the report containing the criticisms of the traffic superintendent upon the action of those Army officials who determined that the prisoners were to be carried in those particular wagons?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI have only seen up to the present a telegraphic summary