§ 7. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for India whether he can, in view of future relations and negotiations with these people, arrange to have those imprisoned in India for political offences, not connected with violence, treated in prison with the same consideration that is extended to Mr. Gandhi; and whether any revision of any of the sentences to imprisonment for six months and upwards is contemplated?
§ Mr. BENNThe internment of Mr. Gandhi under the Bombay State Prisoners Regulation affords no analogy for the treatment of persons convicted and sentenced under the ordinary law. My right hon. and gallant Friend is no doubt aware that the general principles governing the conditions of imprisonment have recently been revised by the Central Government in consultation with unofficial opinion both in the central and local legislatures. So far as I am aware, the answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre we to understand that there is no distinction in the Indian prisons between political offenders and others?
§ Mr. BENNThere has been a very careful revision of the rules governing the treatment of all prisoners and I will send my right hon. and gallant Friend a copy of the revised rules if he wishes.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODI do not want that. What I want to know is, if any distinction is made between people who are in gaol for purely political offences, not involving violence, and ordinary criminals?
§ Mr. BENNThat point is really met in the revised Regulations to which I have referred, and I would ask my right hon. and gallant Friend to study them.