§ 8. Mr. THURTLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many persons are still under restraint of one form or another under the Bengal Criminal Ordinance Act; and how many of these have been under restraint for a longer period than six months?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe latest figures (15th March) are: In gaol, 11; in village domicile, 25; in home domicile, 8;externed from Bengal, or confined to certain areas in Bengal, 16;total under restraint, 60, or 64 Including 4 in gaol under Regulation III of 1818. I cannot give a positive answer to the last part of the question without-longer notice, but it is probable that the majority have been under restraint for more than six months.
§ Mr. THURTLEIn view of the strong feeling that exists in India as to the continued detention of these men without trial, will not the Noble Lord now consider the releasing of them in order to produce a better feeling?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe policy has not changed in any way since I was last asked a question by the hon. Member last Session. That answer was to the effect that as and when it is safe to do so, from the point of view of public security, releases are being made of these people who are being detained.
§ Mr. THURTLEIs the Noble Lord aware that since he gave me that reply there has been a strong demand by the annual conference of the Labour Party that this should be done?
§ Earl WINTERTONI am afraid I am not very much concerned with what the annual conference of the Labour party thinks about law and order in India. There has been for the last two or three years a steady release of such prisoners as it was thought fit in the public interest to release.