§ 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. COTTONWas not this a conviction for adversely criticising the policy of the Government in Egypt, and does such criticism amount to sedition in India?
§ MR. BUCHANANMy 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. COTTONHas the appeal been lodged?
§ MR. BUCHANANI cannot say.
§ MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydvil)Will inquiry be made into the facts as set forth in the Question?
§ MR. BUCHANANIt 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.