HC Deb 05 November 1908 vol 195 cc1392-3
MR. HART-DAVIES (Hackney, N.)

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any political prisoners are or will be among those released in accordance with His Majesty's gracious message.

MR. BUCHANAN

As I stated in reply to a Question on Monday, no distinction is made between political and other prisoners. The present reductions in sentences are on similar lines to those made at the time of His Majesty's coronation.

DR. RUTHERFORD (Middlesex, Brentford)

Has Mr. Tilak's sentence been reduced?

*MR. REES (Montgomery Boroughs)

Has not his sentence been largely reduced or mitigated already?

MR. BUCHANAN

He will be treated in exactly the same way as the other prisoners.

*MR. LUPTON (Lincolnshire, Sleaford)

Is it a fact that the popular demand in India is for the release of Barabbas?