§ 2. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can say how the Government of India define the political offenders of whom they tell the Press that they have only 5,000 odd in gaol: and does this figure include all those in gaol for breach of the Seditious Meetings Act and the Criminal Law Amendment Act?
§ Earl WINTERTONI am not aware that the Government of India have told the Press that they have only 5,000 odd political prisoners in gaot In fact, they have just reported that there are in all 3,836 persons confined in gaols in all provinces for offences in connection with political movements, excluding Moplah rebels. The offences include the two named in the question.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre all the people in gaol under the Criminal Law Amendment Act or the Seditious Meetings Act included in this 3,400?
§ Earl WINTERTONYes.
§ Captain Viscount CURZONDo the figures just given by the Noble Lord apply to the position before or after the gaol delivery reported in the Press to-day?
§ Earl WINTERTONI do not know to what the Noble Lord refers. I have seen no reference to a gaol delivery in the Press to-day: perhaps the Noble Lord has been more fortunate.
§ Viscount CURZONIs the Noble Lord not aware of the report in the Press of a large gaol delivery which has just taken place, and were the figures he has just quoted obtained prior to or subsequent to that gaol delivery?
§ Earl WINTERTONIt has always been laid down that a Minister is not responsible for what appears in the Press. If the Noble Lord puts down a question based on that report I shall be prepared to answer it.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill the Noble Lord state when the figures were obtained?
§ Earl WINTERTONYes, I shall have much pleasure in stating that. They were telegraphed for by instruction, in answer to a charge made by the hon. and gallant Member, that there were 20,000 persons in gaol for political offences, and they have just been received.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODThe Noble Lord must have made a mistake. I understand these figures were asked for, in response to questions put by me about two months ago, and prior to any suggestion being made that there were 20,000 in gaol.
§ Earl WINTERTONYes, but a telegram was sent, asking that the answer should be expedited after the speech of the hon. and gallant Member.