HC Deb 14 December 1908 vol 198 c1282
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the penal provisions of the new Sedition Bill passed by the Government of India and the strong feeling that such provisions are a serious infringement of the constitutional rights of British subjects, this House may be given an opportunity of expressing its opinion on this measure before it is put into operation.

MR. ASQUITH

The Bill to which the hon. Member refers is not a Sedition Bill, but a Bill for dealing with murderous outrages and kindred offences. It has been passed, and is now in operation.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the effect of putting into operation of coercive measures of this kind before remedial measures is calculated to excite to outrage?

MR. ASQUITH

That is a matter of opinion.

MR. MACKARNESS

was understood to ask at what offences the Act was specially aimed?

MR. ASQUITH

The offences are set out in the Schedule of the Act which will, I believe, be circulated on Wednesday.