§ 11. Mr. KINLEYasked the Secretary of State for India the number of months which have elapsed since the Meerutconspiracy-case prisoners were arrested and imprisoned; how long it is since the magisterial inquiry ended and the trial began; how many witnesses for the prosecution have been examined to date; and the amount already charged to public funds in respect of the expenses of this state trial?
§ Mr. BENNThe prisoners wore arrested in March, 1929. The Magistrate's Committal Order was issued on the 11th January, 1930, and the trial before the District Sessions Judge began on 31st January. I understand that over 200 prosecution witnesses have now been examined. With regard to the expenses incurred, I have no information.
§ Mr. KINLEYIs my right hon. Friend aware that the long-drawn-out proceedings in this case are developing in the minds of the public generally the conviction that the Government acted in the first place without any ground whatever?