§ 16. Mr. BROCKWAYasked the Secretary of State for India whether in view of the truce he proposes to recommend the termination of the trial at Meerut of the thirty-one prisoners charged with conspiracy?
§ Mr. BROCKWAYIn view of the fact that these charges are essentially political in nature, and no overt action of violence is charged against these men, cannot the right hon. Gentleman see his way now to release them?
§ Mr. BENNThe defence is being proceeded with, and I cannot interfere with with the ordinary course of judicial procedure.
§ Mr. BROCKWAYIs it not the case that it is going to last two years?
§ Mr. BROCKWAYI beg to give notice that, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I will raise this question on the Adjournment.
§ 10. Mr. FREEMANasked the Secretary of State for India how many prisoners are still in goal for political offences; and whether all prisoners covered by the recent Delhi agreement have now been released?
§ Mr. BENNI am circulating a statement showing the position on the 6th April except as regards Madras and Bengal in which cases the figures are up to 26th March and the 9th April respectively.
§ Mr. FREEMANHave all the prisoners referred to in the agreement been released by this time and, if not, why not?
§ Mr. FREEMANWill they all be released? If they have not been, will the right hon. Gentleman give the reason?
§ Following is the statement:
| Civil Disobedience Movement. | ||
| Province. | Prisoners released. | Prisoners still in gaol. |
| Madras | 1,564 | 79 |
| Bombay | 3,164 | 111 |
| Bengal | 1,853 | 60 |
| United Provinces | 4,453 | 120 |
| Punjab | 1,670 | 130 |
| Bihar and Orissa | 2,895 | 188 |
| Central Provinces | 824 | 104 |
| Assam | 213 | — |
| North West Frontier Province. | 581 | 18 |
| Delhi | 331 | 6 |
| Coorg | 18 | — |
| Total | 17,566 | 816 |
§ 11. Mr. FREEMANasked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the cases of Mr. Sabhraj and Swami Priyog Bharati, two political prisoners, who were asked to be vaccinated in Hyderabad gaol early this year and who refused on conscientious grounds; whether he is aware that they 585 were handcuffed and then forcibly vaccinated, and when they protested their leave of gaol was cancelled; and what action he intends to take to prevent a recurrence of this incident?
§ 17. Mr. BROCKWAYasked the Secretary of State for India whether in view of the truce, he proposes to recommend the release of the 17 Garhwali riflemen serving sentences varying from three years' imprisonment to transportation for life?
§ Mr. BENNThe answer is in the negative. I would remind my hon. Friend that all cases of prisoners undergoing sentences by courts-martial are periodically reviewed by the military authorities.
§ Mr. BROCKWAYMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will consider this point? Is it seemly for a Government whose principal Members—
§ Mr. SPEAKERSir Kingsley Wood!