§ MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India under what Article of the Indian Penal Code have the Government of India power to arrest any person on landing at an Indian port, to examine his wearing apparel, cutting open his boots and other articles of clothing, to imprison him in an inland gaol, and detain him there for nine months at a time without preferring against him any charge or bringing him before any tribunal; what ground of suspicion had the authorities in India against Sheikh Abdul Rasoul; whether he is aware that Sheikh Abdul Rasoul himself called at the India Office and asked to see Lord Cross, who, after keeping him waiting for three hours, refused to see him; whether a registered letter has been received at the India Office from Rasoul, why no acknowledgment of such letter has been returned to him, and whether he will undertake that some reply shall be sent to him; whether, as the Government have brought Rasoul back to this country, and landed him destitute without means of subsistence and without friends in London, they will take steps to provide some support for him pending the reply which he may receive from the Indian Government; and whether it is the intention of the Government to detain Rasoul in this country and to prohibit him from returning to his own country; and, if so, on what grounds and under what statutory or other powers they are in such case acting?
SIR J. GORSTI informed the hon. Gentleman yesterday that the Secretary of State was awaiting information on this subject from India, and pending the receipt of that information I am afraid that I cannot answer many of the questions which he has put. But in answer to paragraph 3 I am aware that Abdul Rasoul did call at the India Office on one of the days when my noble Friend was out of London, and therefore he was not able to see him. In answer to the fourth paragraph, I stated yesterday that a letter had been received at the India Office, and I regret that no acknowledgment had been sent. In answer to the last question, the Secretary of State has neither the power nor 839 the intention of detaining Rasoul in this country.
§ MR. CONYBEAREThere are two points on which the right hon. Gentleman has given no answer, and which I think he could reply to without awaiting letters from India. I want to know whether he will see that an answer is sent to this unfortunate man as to what decision the authorities have come to; and I also wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, as the unfortunate man has been brought to this country against his will, and has been landed in this Metropolis destitute and without friends or means of support, he will consider the propriety of making some provision for him?
SIR J. GORSTThe hon. Gentleman begs the whole question. We are awaiting information from India as to whether this man was sent here; and until the Secretary of State receives that information it is impossible for me to reply to the question.
§ MR. CONYBEAREWill the right hon. Gentleman make any provision for this man's subsistence? I understand that he does not contradict that he was arrested in India and sent to gaol and kept there for nine months without trial; and I wish to know whether he will recommend that some allowance shall be made to him to enable him to subsist in England?
SIR J. GORSTI have never heard that the man was in a state of destitution. He certainly has made no such statement to me.