HC Deb 12 May 1898 vol 57 cc1076-8
MR. MACNEILL

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India (1) whether the brothers Natu, who were deported last July from Poona without trial and without having been charged with any offence and have been kept in close imprisonment for upwards of nine months, were released, the one on Monday and the other on Tuesday last; (2) whether they have been released on parole, and, if so, what are the conditions of the parole; (3) whether he can state now what were the reasons for the deportation of these gentlemen; (4) whether the property of which they were deprived will be restored to them, with an account of the profits thereof; and (5) whether the Government are prepared to make any, and, if so, what reparation to the brothers Natu for this prolonged deprivation of their liberty?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA

In reply to the first two Questions, I understand that the Natu brothers have not been released by the Government of Bombay, but have been allowed to live in private houses in Belgaum, where they own property, and where their families can join them. Subject to their good conduct, all restrictions will be relaxed, except that, pending further orders, they will not be allowed to leave Belgaum. As regards Question 3, I am unable to add anything to the statement which I have already made in this House relative to the reasons which induced the Government of Bombay to take action under the regulation of 1827. In reply to Questions 4 and 5, the regulation provides for the adjustment of the accounts of collections received during the attachment of estates, and for payment to the proprietor, after release of the estate, of any profits which may have accumulated; but it does not provide for any compensation to persons detained under it. The provisions of the law will be strictly followed.

MR. MACNEILL

May I ask the noble Lord which of the reasons he has given for the deportation of these brothers is correct? The first reason he gave was that these men were deported in consequence of the murder—

MR. SPEAKER

The honourable Member is not in order in referring to an answer to a previous Question.

MR. MACNEILL

I am asking in reference to the statement made to the House just now.

MR. SPEAKER

The honourable Member is completely out of order.