HC Deb 02 August 1897 vol 52 c94
MR. MICHAEL DAVITT (Mayo, S.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India (1) can he state how many arrests of British subjects have been made in India recently, under the law of lettre de cachet; (2) whether the persons thus arrested are to be imprisoned indefinitely without trial; (3) whether this system of punishment for alleged political offences is a proceeding sanctioned by any canon of English law and, if so, will he state what such law is; and (4) whether any British subject so arrested and imprisoned in India has the right of trial before any court of India, or any right of appeal to any tribunal in England?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON,) Middlesex, Ealing

In reply to Question No. 1, two persons have been arrested recently under the Bombay Regulation XXV. of 1827. As to Question No. 2, I cannot say what may be the intentions now or hereafter of the Indian Government; and in regard to Question No. 3, the hon. Gentleman can consult the regulations and form his own conclusions. As to Question No. 4 there is no appeal.

MR. MACNEILL

asked whether persons in India arrested under Regulation XXV. could be kept in prison without trial indefinitely?

LORD GEORGE HAMILTON

The Indian Government have power to detain such persons in prison as long as they think necessary.

MR. DAVITT

asked the noble Lord whether his sanction had been obtained for these arrests before they were made?

LORD GEORGE HAMILTON

Yes.