§ 5. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether there has yet been made in India any difference in the feeding or treatment in gaol given to political and to ordinary prisoners; if so, in what provinces has such distinction been made; and why is it not done in Lahore gaol?
§ Earl WINTERTONOn the 16th January the Home Member made a statement in the Legislative Assembly in reply to a question on this subject. He said:
The Government of India recently suggested to Local Governments that persons recently sentenced to rigorous imprisonment under Act XIV of 1908 or under the Seditious Meetings Act should receive differential treatment in jail in the matter of diet,
§ were the receipts from the Excise Duty and Customs Duty on cotton goods, respectively, for the 12 months ending 28th February; and what were the corresponding figures for the 12 months ending 28th February, 1914, and the quantity and value of cotton goods in each case?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe statistics required, as far as they are available, are being circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ The following are the statistics mentioned:
§ The statistics of Excise Duty and production of cotton goods for February, 1922, are not yet available. I am, therefore, giving the figures for the 11 months ending 31st January, 1922, in respect of Excise Duty and production. The figures are:
clothing, labour, etc. They understand that Orders to this effect are already in force in most Provinces.
§ I believe that the Punjab is one of the provinces referred to, and have no information that Lahore gaol is an exception.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill the Noble Lord—whom I am very glad to see on that Front Bench—himself wire to Lahore and find out definitely whether these instructions have been carried out there; my latest information is that they have not yet?
Sir J. D. REESI offer my sincere congratulations to the Noble Lord on his presence on that Front Bench. May I 203 ask why should there be any distinction made between political and other prisoners—
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYYou will find out soon—
§ Earl WINTERTONIn regard to the question of the hon. and gallant Gentleman opposite, if he will inform me of cases that he knows where that has not been done already, I shall be glad to ask the Secretary of State to telegraph for information. My information is to the effect that it is being carried out in Lahore gaol and elsewhere.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIt was not being done in Lahore when the last mail left.
§ Earl WINTERTONPerhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will see me afterwards, and I will inquire.
Sir J. D. REESDo we understand that there are now more generous and lenient Regulations for political prisoners in India than formerly obtained?
§ Earl WINTERTONI must have notice of these questions, but there has been an alteration in policy during the, last few years.