§ 1. Mr. AMMONasked the Undersecretary of State for India whether Reports concerning the murders of the Post Office runners on the Patagram, Mathabhanga, and the Kasipalayan Kurumandur lines in May and September last, respectively, were forwarded to his Department; can he say whether any compensation has been awarded to the next-of-kin; and whether, in view of the increase in the number of such murders, recommendation will be made to the Indian Government as to the arming of runners?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Earl Winterton)No such Reports have been received. In accordance with their usual practice, the Government of India will no doubt grant compensation to dependants in these cases if the circumstances justify it. Runners are at present armed with spears, but the Government of India are examining the question of the advisability of providing them with revolvers.