§ 6. Sir WILLIAM BYLESasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India has yet come to a decision as to the conduct of the honorary magistrate who recorded the confession of the accused in the Poonah torture case; and, if so, can he state what it is; and whether the reforms promised by him and published on 25th September, 1911, have ever been carried out, and especially whether the local governments have yet considered the question therein stated to have been submitted to them as to the advantage of having confessions recorded at all before the commencement of the trial?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe honorary magistrate to whom the hon. Member refers has been deprived of his powers. As regards the reforms promised in September, 1911, action in various directions has been taken, and generally it may be said that most of the reforms have been carried out. I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question on 15th April last. The reply to the last part of the question is in the affirmative. The Government of India have not, however, as yet communicated the result of their consideration of the opinions expressed by the local governments.