DR. RUTHERFORDI beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the fact that the arrest and deportation of Lalu Lajpat Rai without trial has fired the indignation of His Majesty's subjects in India, he will either bring him to trial or release him, and so help to restore law and order and respect for British justice.
§ MR. MORLEYI am aware that the circumstances mentioned by my hon. friend have been viewed with lively disapproval by some sections of His Majesty's Indian subjects and with lively approval by other sections, and I cannot at all agree with my hon. friend that either the trial or the release of the person detained would by any means help to restore law and order.
DR. RUTHERFORDasked the right hon. Gentleman whether he would inform the House on what charge this gentleman had been arrested and deported without trial.
§ MR. MORLEYreplied that under the regulations of 1818, under which he was arrested, the formulation of a charge that could be brought forward and substantiated was not necessary.
DR. RUTHERFORDasked whether the right hon. Gentleman had himself received any evidence justifying this serious undertaking on the part of the Indian Government.
§ MR. MORLEYsaid he had not the least desire to evade any of these questions, but it would be far more convenient if his hon. friend would possess himself in patience for only a week, when it would be his duty and satisfaction to explain to the House the whole of this matter.
§ MR. O'GRADY (Leeds, E.)said he desired to ask the right hon. Gentleman a simple question. Was it not a fact that this gentleman was arrested as a result of speaking at a meeting against the increase of the land and irrigation taxes; whether he considered that to be sedition, and whether it came within the purview of the regulations of 1818?
§ MR. MORLEYMy hon. friend calls that a simple Question! To answer it would involve me in complexities which would take at least half an hour.
§ MR. LEA (St. Pancras, E.)asked whether there was any other place under the British flag where these lettres de cachet obtained as they did in India.
§ [No Answer was returned.]