§ MR. P. O'BRIEN (Monaghan, N.)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether it is true, as reported in The Times, that 25,000 prisoners have been released from the gaols of India, in commemoration of the Queen's Jubilee; what proportion of the released prisoners were confined for political offences, and what proportion were ordinary criminals; and, whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to advise Her Majesty to further manifest the Royal 46 clemency during the Jubilee Year by granting an amnesty to prisoners confined in Ireland for political and agrarian offences? The hon. Member also asked, whether it was the intention of the Government to advise Her Majesty to fix tend the same elemency to prisoners in British prisons?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH), (Strand, Westminster)I have to reply that the release of prisoners in India is a matter entirely within the power and discretion of the Viceroy. It is a general Oriental custom to celebrate occasions of public rejoicing by the release of prisoners; and about 16,000 were released on the occasion of the Proclamation of Her Majesty as Empress of India in the year 1877. No official information has been received at the India Office on the subject; but a Report has been asked for. I have to answer the latter part of the Question of the hon. Gentleman by saying that it is not the intention of Her Majesty's Advisers to recommend the Queen to extend this ancient Oriental custom to the United Kingdom.
§ MR. E. HARRINGTON (Kerry, W.)May I ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether it is a general Oriental custom, on the occasion of Jubilees to burn down the houses of the subjects of Oriental Potentates?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!
§ MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)asked, Whether there were any instances on record of similar clemency being shown in this country?
§ [No reply.]