HC Deb 14 October 1908 vol 194 cc295-6
SIR H. COTTON (Nottingham, E.)

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the case of one Fazl Hassan, editor of a monthly magazine, the Urdu-i-Mualla, who has been sentenced by the magistrate of Aligarh to two years hard labour and a fine of Rs. 500 for publishing an article adversely criticising British educational policy in Egypt; and whether he will make inquiry into the facts with a view to the remission or modification of this sentence.

THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. BUCHANAN,) Perthshire, E.

It is open to the accused in this case to appeal to the High Court for a remission or modification of this sentence.

*MR. REES (Montgomery Boroughs)

Is this the editor who in addressing the jury said he was only following in the footsteps of the hon. Members for Sleaford and East Nottingham?

MR. LUPTON (Lincolnshire, Sleaford)

And could he do better than follow in their footsteps?

SIR H. COTTON

Was not this a conviction for adversely criticising the policy of the Government in Egypt, and does such criticism amount to sedition in India?

MR. BUCHANAN

My hon. friend is asking the Secretary of State to inter-fore with the judgment of the Court, but inasmuch as the accused has a right of appeal he declines to do so.

SIR H. COTTON

Has the appeal been lodged?

MR. BUCHANAN

I cannot say.

MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydvil)

Will inquiry be made into the facts as set forth in the Question?

MR. BUCHANAN

It would be unusual and improper on the part of the authorities here to institute an inquiry in a case where the accused has the right of appeal.