HC Deb 11 May 1909 vol 4 cc1639-41
Mr. MACKARNESS

asked whether the Secretary of State for India has received information that a petition has been presented to the Viceroy of India by inhabitants of Calcutta praying for the release of Mr. Krishna Kumar Mittra, who was deported from his home in December last without charge or trial; whether he can state the terms of the petition; and what, reply was given by the Viceroy?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

No such petition has been received by the Government of India.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

asked whether any petition or other form of representation has been received by the Government of India by or on behalf of any of the nine Indian gentlemen who were arrested and deported without trial in December last; what is the nature of such representations; and what replies have been made thereto?

Mr. MACKARNESS

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any representations have been made to the Government of India by any of the nine Indian gentlemen who were deported from their homes in December last without charge or trial; and, if so, whether he will inform the House what is the nature of those representations, and what replies, have been made to them by the Government?

Mr. GEORGE GOOCH

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any representations have been made to the Government of India by any of the nine Indian gentlemen who were deported from their homes in December last without charge or trial; and, if so, whether he will inform the House what is the nature of those representations, and what replies have been made?

Mr. FLYNN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any representations have been made to the Government by any of the nine Indian gentlemen who were deported from their homes in December last without charge or trial; and, if so, whether he will inform the House what is the nature of those representations, and what replies have been made?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

A number of representations having reference to various-subjects have been made to the Government of India by the persons deported, or by other persons in their behalf; but it is not practicable to give within the limits of an answer to a question particulars as to the nature of the representation and of the reply in each case.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

May I ask whether a petition has been received on behalf of Aswini Kumar Dutt, of Barisal, asking for his release on the grounds of ill-health?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

I answered a question addressed to the Under-Secretary of State for India 8 or 10 days ago. If the hon. Gentleman will refer to that, he will see all the facts stated.

Mr. FLYNN

Has the Secretary of State for India taken any pains to see whether the petition has been forwarded or not, or is it left entirely to the discretion of the Government of India?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

No. I saw myself this morning nearly all the statements referred to.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

When will there be an opportunity of placing these details before the House?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

As the hon. Gentleman knows, I am only acting on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for India, and I cannot possibly make a statement.

Mr. MACKARNESS

Is it a fact that all the representations made by the deported persons contain protestations of their innocence of any offence, and requests to be made acquainted with the grounds on which they have been deported?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

I believe that is so.