§ 6. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for India how the Punjab Inquiry Commission is supposed to deal with the cases of those prisoners tried in batches by Summary Courts when no evidence favourable to accused was recorded?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI have every confidence that sufficient evidence will be forthcoming to enable the Committee to discharge satisfactorily the task they have undertaken, which is to investigate the recent disturbances, their causes, and the measures taken to cope with them.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODDo I understand from that that they are not going to reconsider the sentences passed upon the various offenders?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThey are not a body for the revision of particular sentences. As my hon. and gallant Friend is probably aware, the sentences which he has in mind are being, and I think have been, completely reviewed by a special tribunal appointed, consisting of one European and one Indian judge.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODThey have only dealt with them, as I understand, in the way of reduction of sentences, and have not considered the justification of the condemnations themselves?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIt is not proposed to do anything further in the revision of sentences unless that is recommended by Lord Hunter's Committee, but that Committee would not in itself revise them.
§ Colonel YATEWill the Committee revising these sentences be empowered to increase the sentences as well as to decrease them?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI think I had better refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the speech made by the Home Member in the Viceroy's Legislative Council, but I have not yet heard any suggestion that the sentences passed in the Punjab were not sufficiently severe.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIt is distinctly understood then that Lord Hunter's Committee can recommend that these sentences be reviewed entirely?
§ Mr. MONTAGUOh, yes.
§ 7. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary for India whether he is aware that the Punjab methods of dealing with political suspects are causing racial hate in India; and what steps he proposes to take to cause a change of method in the Punjab?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI really do not know what is in my hon. and gallant Friend's mind. If he has any definite charge to make, I will attend to it; or any proposal to make I will consider it.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODI suppose he is aware that racial hate has been caused by the. operations in the, Punjab, but would it not be desirable to support the Governor in his measures for alleviating the situation in the Punjab against the Simla Government which is pressing on the old system of Sir Michael O'Dwyer?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThis is the first indication I have had from any source whatsoever that there is any difference of opinion between the Government of the Punjab and the Government of India. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman has any information which I do not possess, perhaps he will let mo have it.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODPerhaps it would be possible for my right hon. Friend to make inquiries from Sir Edward Mac-lagan on this point, because it is of vital importance that the Governor of the Punjab, who is in touch with the conditions there, should have the freest possible hand in dealing with this problem?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe hon. and gallant Member is aware that a Committee is-sitting to inquire into these matters, and I 339 do not propose to interfere with the discretion and the responsibilities of the Government of India.
§ Colonel YATEIs it not a fact that this racial hatred is entirely due to the action of the agitators in India?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI do not propose to express any opinion, and I hope the House will not express any opinion, upon matters which are now, at this moment, being investigated by a Committee appointed for the purpose.