§ 6. Mr. MORRELLasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has yet received the promised Report by the Government of India as to the desirability of amending the criminal law relating to confessions of guilt so as to prevent the practice of torture by the police; and, if so, whether he will now lay it upon the Table of the House?
§ Mr. MORRELLIs the hon. Gentleman aware that he stated definitely in this House a short time ago that this Report would be laid during the course of last month, and why has his word to this House not been kept?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI can only tell the House when I expect a certain document from India. As far as my memory serves me, I said on the 17th of June that I expected it within a month of that date.
§ Mr. MORRELLIs the hon. Gentleman quite certain he did not say that he expected it in the course of that month, and would it not be better to give a rather fuller answer than a mere "No, Sir"?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI cannot be quite certain without refreshing my memory when I expected the document to arrive from India. If it does not arrive within a week of the time I said, I am extremely sorry, and must only ask the hon. Member to exercise patience. The hon. Member asked me if I had got the Report and I tell him I have not, which is a perfectly full answer.
§ Mr. MORRELLIs the hon. Member aware that we have been pressing for this Report for some years?
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLDoes the hon. Member expect that we shall have this document in our possession before the discussion on the Indian Budget?
§ Mr. MONTAGUWhen the question was put down last I communicated with the Government of India and they informed me that this dispatch would probably come home within a month.
§ Colonel YATEWhen will the Indian Budget be put down?