§ Mr. O'GRADYasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he was aware that Mr. Gandhi, the Transvaal Indian leader, who was undergoing three months' hard labour under the registration laws, was, on 10th March, marched from the Pretoria gaol to the magistrate's court, where his attendance was required as a witness, handcuffed: whether he would inquire if this indignity upon Mr. Gandhi was intentionally imposed by the authorities or occurred by mistake; and whether representations would be made to the Transvaal Government to treat British Indians, who were going to gaol for what they consider to be conscience sake, less severely than convicted criminals?
§ Colonel SEELYThe incident referred to has not been specially reported to the Secretary of State, but inquiry is being made as to this point. The Secretary of State does not think that any useful purpose would be served by representations to the Government of the Transvaal with 1661 a view to any further differentiation in the treatment of British Indian prisoners than is already made in the matters referred to on pages 17, 18, 35, 50 of Cd. 4584.
§ Mr. O'GRADYWould the same kind of treatment be imposed upon a villain of the worst type who happened to be a white?
§ Colonel SEELYNo doubt. There has been no suggestion that Mr. Gandhi has been subjected to any special disability.
§ Sir HENRY COTTONIs it the custom in the Transvaal to take witnesses who are to give evidence in the criminal courts through the streets in handcuffs?
§ Colonel SEELYMr. Gandhi has been treated in every respect as any other prisoner would have been treated, and on a previous occasion he himself said he did not wish to be treated in any other way.
§ Sir H. COTTONThen I presume it is the practice there.
§ Colonel SEELYI should like my hon. friend to put down a question as to the precise practice; but I am quite certain that I am correct in saying that Mr. Gandhi has not been subjected to any special indignity.
§ Mr. BYLESDoes the hon. Gentleman definitely state that colour makes no difference whatever in the treatment of this gentleman?
§ Colonel SEELYIt made no difference whatever.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIECan the hon. Gentleman say whether it is customary for witnesses going to give evidence to be taken through the streets to the police-court handcuffed!
§ Colonel SEELYAs I have said, if any hon. Member will put down a question as to the precise custom I shall be prepared to answer it. I have been very carefully into the matter this morning, and I am satisfied on the evidence laid before me that Mr. Gandhi has been subjected to no indignity beyond that suffered by any person of any colour in similar cases.