§ Mr. MACKARNESSasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the numerous deportations recently sanctioned in India, he can state any precedent for refusing information to the House of Commons as to the grounds upon which the Executive have deported and imprisoned British subjects without charge or trial, in a time of peace, when the courts of justice are open, in a British Dependency for the Government of which the Imperial Parliament is responsible?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe House of Commons was, during the Debate on the Address, fully informed as to the grounds on which the persons referred to have been deported, and the Secretary of State is not aware of any precedent for going into further detail. As the hon. and learned Member is aware, the fact that the courts of justice are open is irrelevant since the 1018 Regulation purports to provide for cases in which the institution of judicial proceedings may be "unadvisable or improper."
§ Mr. MACKARNESSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that ten years ago two men were deported by the late Government in Bombay, and the fullest information was given by Lord George Hamilton to the House without the slightest demur? Is there any objection to following that precedent?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI think the statement of the hon. Member is not absolutely accurate.
§ Mr. MACKARNESSIn what respect?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEIn that the information in that case was, I understand, refused to the House of Commons.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLIs the hon. Gentleman aware that I myself put the question, and that Lord George Hamilton gave me the fullest information about the two brothers?
§ Mr. SPEAKEROrder, order.
§ Mr. BENNETTasked the Prime Minister whether any evidence has been laid before him to show that the nine British subjects who were deported from their homes and imprisoned by the Government of India in December last, without charge or trial, have committed or been parties to any form of anarchical violence, such as was suggested by him in a reply recently addressed to the memorial of 146 Members of this House; and, if so, whether that evidence has been or will be at any time made known to the persons implicated, so that they may have an opportunity of clearing themselves?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSE (for the Prime Minister)I would refer the hon. Member to the speech of the Under-Secretary of State in the Debate on the Address on 24th February, to which the Secretary of State has nothing to add.
§ Mr. F. E. SMITHHas the evidence against the persons concerned been made known to them, so as to give them an opportunity of explaining or dealing with it?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSENo, Sir.
§ Mr. JOHN O'CONNORMay I ask the hon. Gentleman whether it is the fact that when it was thought necessary to imprison people in Ireland without a charge being 1019 made against them or trial being given they deemed it necessary to pass a special Act of Parliament in this House, known as the Coercion Act of 1881?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI am not familiar with the details of Irish administration.
§ Mr. MACKARNESSMay I ask whether any evidence was laid before him to justify the deportation of these gentlemen?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe Secretary of State has constantly refused to give any information as to the reason why these gentlemen were deported.
§ Mr. F. E. SMITHWill the right hon. Gentleman say what is the objection to informing persons who have been deported as to the evidence and grounds upon which they have been deported?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThey have been informed that their continued residence in the place where they were would be dangerous to the internal affairs of the State.
§ Mr. MacNEILLrose.
§ Mr. SPEAKERAny further questions must be put down.