§ 56. Mr. MAXTONasked the Secretary of State for India how many Indian prisoners have been deported to the penal settlement on the Andaman Islands in recent months, and why the Government continues such deportations in view of the decision to close this settlement on the ground of the unhealthy character of the place?
§ Mr. BUTLERAbout 75 convicts serving sentences for offences connected with terrorism have been or are being transferred to the cellular gaol in the Andamans. Most of these transfers are from Bengal gaols. In connection with the decision 10 years ago to close down the penal settlement as rapidly as possible, the Government of India, acting in fact on a recommendation of the gaols Committee itself, specifically retained discretion to transfer to the Andamans convicts whose removal from British India was considered to be in the public interest. The area of the gaol where these convicts will be lodged is now free from malaria, and there is no longer any objection to it on the grounds of health.