HC Deb 12 December 1911 vol 32 cc2117-8
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is in a position to state in how many of the fifty-seven cases of convictions for torture by the Indian police during the last six years the victims were Europeans; in how many cases, where death ensued, the accused policemen were either charged with or convicted of murder, and how many charges of torture during the same period were dealt with by Departmental or private police inquiries; and can he say in how many of the above cases any compensation was paid to the sufferers and, if so, to what amount?

Mr. MONTAGU

I have asked the Government of India to supply the information for which my hon. Friend asks, and will communicate with him when I have received it?

Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

Does the Government of India recognise any general obligation to pay compensation to persons who have been so treated?

Mr. MONTAGU

My hon. Friend will remember that in answer to a previous question of his I have stated the rules with regard to compensation, how the Court can order the payment of compensation, and how the Government can pay, if the local government so advise, compensation in addition to the compensation recommended by the Court itself.