§ Mr. MORRELLI beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office, as representing the India Office, a question, of which I have given him private notice, namely, whether he is in a position to make any statement with regard to the case of Mr. Arnold?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Harold Baker)I informed the House in December that it was not practicable to consider the severity of Mr. Arnold's sentence so long as it was uncertain whether he did or did not intend to appeal against the correctness of his conviction. This statement was made in the belief that Mr. Arnold's intentions would be known at an early date. But some time has now elapsed; no application for special leave to appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council has been made; Mr. Arnold is completing his fourth month in prison. The Government of India have therefore now reviewed the case 493 on its merits, and have come to the conclusion that a term of four months' imprisonment will meet it. They have reduced the sentence of one year accordingly. I wish to make it clear that this decision will not in any way affect Mr. Arnold's power to make application to the Judicial Committee regarding the judgment of the Burma Chief Court, should he decide to do so.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTDoes that mean that Mr. Arnold is to be at once released?
§ Mr. BAKERNo, he will be released on the termination of the fourth month from the date of the sentence, which was I think on 19th October.
§ Mr. MORRELLDo we understand that the Government do not think it necessary to make any further inquiry into the facts of the case.
§ Mr. BAKERI am afraid that would depend on whether Mr. Arnold would still appeal or not, and on the result of any appeal.