§ SIR W. WEDDERBURN (Banffshire)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he will now consider the advisability of removing the restrictions 52 on the brothers Natu, who have now been detained without trial for about a year and ten months; and, if not, whether he will state on what grounds, connected with the public tranquillity, they are still prevented returning to their homes?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIAI have seen no reason for altering the decision which I announced on the 21st of April, 1898. I then stated that I had no intention of interfering with the discretion of the Government of Bombay as to the time when in the interests of public tranquillity and order the present restrictions imposed upon the movement of the natives could be removed. In the opinion of the Bombay Government, that time has not yet arrived, and I can give no pledge with regard to the future.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIAThey are detained under the Regulations of 1817, and there is no necessity to bring them to trial.
§ SIR W. WEDDERBURNSeeing the complete state of public tranquillity, and the long time these men have been detained, will the noble Lord cause a special report to be made?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIAI do not know where the honourable Member gets his information as to the complete state of tranquillity, but it is not the information that reaches me. I see no reason to interfere.