§ Mr. MACKARNESSasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the attention of the Secretary of State had been called to the fact that in the annual Report recently issued by the Commissioner of Police for the Calcutta District it is stated that during the twelve months ending in December, 1908, there was a marked decrease, as compared with the previous year, of offences against the State, public tranquillity, safety, and justice, and that there was a considerable decrease in the number of cases of rioting and unlawful assembly, and that in spite of several disturbing causes the general public peace was well kept; and whether these facts had been brought to the notice of the Secretary of State and the Government of India when, in December, 1908, the deportation, without charge or trial, of nine British subjects from Bengal was sanctioned?
The MASTER of ELIBANKThe Report in question was not issued until April, 1909, but in any case the Secretary of State satisfied himself that the general circumstances at the time were such as to justify recourse to the exceptional measure of which the hon. Member complains.
§ Mr. MACKARNESSMay I ask whether the Secretary of State disagrees with the Report of the Commissioner?
§ Mr. REESMay I ask whether he is aware that no party either in England or in India desires these deported people should be detained longer than the Government of India and the Secretary of State consider necessary?