§ 8. Mr. FREEMANasked the Secretary of State for India whether he has received information regarding events which took place in Meerut gaol on 29th August last; whether the inspector-general of prisons and the superintendent of police visited the gaol on that date; whether any prisoners were sentenced to punishment in the gaol on that occasion; and, if so, will he state how many prisoners were punished and what was the nature of the punishment inflicted?
§ Mr. BENNThe answer to the first part of the question is yes. Meerut gaol was visited on the 20th August by the Superintendent of Police and by the District Magistrate, but not by the Inspector-General of Prisons. An inquiry into the disturbance that had occurred was held in the gaol by the District Magistrate as a result of which 13 convicts were whipped and proceedings under the Prisons Act were taken against others. Further certain under-trial prisoners were deprived of the privileges of smoking and receiving magazines. I received a few days ago a long report from which I hope to be able to give my hon. Friend a little later a fuller account of the occurrence.
§ Mr. FREEMANCan my right lion. Friend say whether any officials were injured on this occasion, whether he has received a memorial signed by some of the prisoners and others alleging certain grievances to which they were subjected on this occasion, and can he give the House any information upon it?
§ Mr. BENNI cannot say whether any officials were injured, but I believe the memorial referred to is dealt with in the report, and I am anxious to give the House all the information in my power about it.
§ 14. Mr. BROCKWAYasked the Secretary of State for India the number of youths and juveniles under 21 years of age, under 15 years of age, and under 12 years of age who have been imprisoned in connection with the civil disobedience movement, and the length of their sentences?
§ Mr. BENNI have not the information which would enable me to give an answer to this question, but will make inquiries.
§ Mr. BROCKWAYHas the attention of my right hon. Friend been drawn to the recent reports from India of boys and girls of quite tender ages being imprisoned?
§ Mr. BENNMy attention was called to the statement of my hon. Friend that boys of 11 were imprisoned, and I immediately inquired and found that it was without foundation.
§ Mr. BROCKWAYMay I put this point to the right hon. Gentleman? He asked me to provide information and I have provided the information, and it seems to me that the courteous method would have been to communicate with me on a matter of that kind. I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether be has not seen more recent statements in the Indian Press to the same effect?
§ Mr. BENNI did not desire to treat my hon. Friend with discourtesy. I was greatly grieved when I saw his statement. I was shocked at the statement, and I made inquiry immediately from the Viceroy, and I found that the statement was based upon a misapprehension?
§ 16. Mr. FREEMANasked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the Round-Table Conference, he will consider the desirability of freeing political prisoners in India who have not been imprisoned for acts of violence?
§ Mr. FREEMANWould this not be an indication of our good desire towards the people of India, particularly as it affects women and children?