§ 5. Mr. THURTLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India if there is any limit as to the time which the three Sikhs, at present in prison in India under Regulation 111 of 1818, without trial may be detained on the ground that if they were released they might commit crime?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe answer to the legal question as put is in the negative, but I may inform the hon. Member that my Noble Friend is ascertaining the views of the Government of India as to these three persons.
§ Mr. THURTLEWill the Noble Lord bear in mind that it is altogether un-English to keep people in prison for a long time without their having been tried, and merely on suspicion that they may commit a crime?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe hon. Gentleman should have made those representations to Lord Olivier in the late Government.
§ 6. Mr. THURTLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India if, in view of the fact that there are now no longer any prisoners being detained under the Bengal Criminal Ordinance Act and that there have been no arrests under this 2585 Act for the last 12 months, and having regard to the fact that the Act was brought into existence as an emergency measure, the Government will now suggest to the Government of India that the Act should be annulled?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe Bengal Criminal Law Amendment Act expires in April, 1930, if its duration is not prolonged. My Noble Friend sees no sufficient reason at present for taking any step of the kind suggested.
§ Mr. THURTLEIs the Noble Lord aware that this Act was brought into being to meet an emergency, and that the facts show that the emergency has now passed away; and, in view of these circumstances, does he not think that it would be a good thing from the point of view of Indian opinion if some steps were taken to annul the Act?
§ Earl WINTERTONI regret that I can add nothing to the answer I have already given.