HC Deb 02 July 1883 vol 281 cc49-50
MR. O'DONNELL

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, If, in the case of the Ex-Zemindar of Palconda, any appeal or any form of trial was open to him, during the whole of his imprisonment of thirty-seven years, by means of which he could test the justice of his confinement; whether Europeans, as well as Natives, can be imprisoned indefinitely for alleged reasons of State in India; and, whether the property of Natives can be sequestrated for reasons of State, and whether there is any appeal against the indefinite duration of such sequestration?

Mr. J. K. CROSS

Viziaram Raz, Sir, who never was Zemindar of Palconda, might have appealed at any time during his confinement under the provisions of Madras Regulation II. of 1819. The law relating to the subject of the second and third parts of the hon. Member's Question is contained in Bengal Regulation III. of 1818. Substantially identical Regulations apply to Madras and Bombay. I must refer the hon. Member for Dungarvan to these Regulations, as I cannot undertake to give a legal interpretation of them.

MR. O'DONNELL

asked the Under Secretary, Whether Europeans as well as Natives could be imprisoned indefinitely?

MR. J. K. CROSS

said, it entirely depended on the interpretation of the Regulations to which he had referred; but he could not attempt to give a legal interpretation.

MR. O'DONNELL

gave Notice that on that day fort night he would ask the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether he could state to the House what was the legal interpretation upon which the Indian Government acted with reference to the law in question; and whether it was the case that Europeans, as well as Natives, were liable to indefinite imprisonment?

MR. J. K. CROSS

said, that this was entirely a hypothetical Question, and could not be settled without a definite question arising.

MR. O'DONNELL

Is not Her Majesty's Government aware what is the law affecting Europeans and Natives in India? ["Oh, oh!"] I give Notice that on this day fortnight I shall ask what is the law relating to Europeans and Natives on this subject, and what steps the Government will take in order to inform themselves on the subject?