§ MR. HAZELL (Leicester)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that during the year 1897 four charges of torture were preferred against the police force of the North-Western Provinces and Oudh, all of which ended in convictions; and that it was officially reported that during the same year the conduct of the police force in the Province of Coorg was unsatisfactory; and whether, owing to the low rates of pay offered, it is difficult to get suitable recruits to join these forces, and, if so, whether the Government of 1471 India is taking any steps to improve the position of these men and so attract a better class in order to avoid a recurrence of the scandals referred to.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord G. HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingI am aware that in 1897 four cases of police torture ended in conviction in the police of the North-Western Provinces and Oudh. In two of these cases the torture appears to have been inflicted under the orders of a superior and well-paid officer. As regards Coorg, which is a very small district, I find that for 1897 the Chief Commissioner in his review mentions "a decided improvement" as having taken place in police work, and also that he is preparing a scheme to remedy what he considers the disadvantage of insufficient pay. That cases of misconduct by the police should occur is a matter for very great regret; but there is reason to hope that a gradual improvement in this respect is taking place. The subject of improving the position and quality of the police generally has constantly occupied the attention of the Government of India, and large sums of money have been devoted during recent years to this purpose.