SIR W. WEDDERBURY (Banffshire)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether there is any law or usage in force in the Punjaub which authorises impressment of men and animals for service outside British India; whether section 374 of the Indian Penal Code provides punishment for unlawful compul- 906 sory labour; and who are the authorities responsible for the recent impressment of Punjaub villagers for service in the war beyond the frontier?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIAAs regards the first part of the honourable Member's Question, I must refer him to the reply given in the House on the 8th instant. The right to impress therein mentioned would extend to service within or beyond the frontier of India, and that right would not be affected by section 374 of the Penal Code. The impressment was carried out by the district officers acting under the authority of the Lieutenant Governor of the Province, who had the sanction of the Governor General in Council for the steps he was taking.