§ 11. Mr. KEIR HARDIEasked the Under-Secretary for India whether the prisoners under trial in the Delhi sedition case are kept in solitary confinement when they are not actually before the court; whether they are taken to the court in handcuffs, which are not removed even when the prisoners are before the court; whether they are being given prison diet, are not allowed to purchase other food, and in almost every other respect are treated as if they had already been convicted of the crime with which they are charged; and, if so, whether he will state the reasons for such treatment?
§ Mr. C. ROBERTSI do not know what grounds the hon. Member has for his suggestion. Under the gaol rules prisoners under trial are handcuffed only when there is reason to apprehend violence or rescue, and are allowed to receive food, clothes, and bedding from outside the gaol subject to precautions as to prohibited articles. They are exempt from labour and from other duties and disabilities of convicts; and, though liable to be segregated in 1069 prison are not kept in solitary confinement. The segregation of under-trial prisoners is unattended by any irksome conditions beyond those necessary to prevent communication with other prisoners concerned in the same case.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEHas the Under-Secretary inquired? He will remember that, a month ago, I was promised information on this question. I then asked whether steps would not be taken to prevent people charged with offences, but not convicted, from being treated in the manner suggested?
§ Mr. C. ROBERTSI cannot believe the gaol rules are broken, unless the hon. Member can furnish me with evidence to that effect. If he will do that I will undertake to look into the matter.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEMeanwhile, will the hon. Gentleman not cause inquiry to be at once made to prevent this scandal of presumably innocent men being treated in this way?
§ Mr. C. ROBERTSIf the hon. Member has any evidence ready I will consider it.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLThe hon. Gentleman stated that these men are not in solitary confinement, but are segregated. Is there any distinction?
§ Mr. C. ROBERTSYes, there is a distinction. Under separate confinement prisoners awaiting trial are allowed to have their meals in association with other prisoners. That is not allowed in the cases of prisoners segregated.