§ 3. Miss RATHBONEasked the Secretary of State for India whether he has considered the statement submitted to him showing that a number of political prisoners in Karachi, including old and delicate persons of good education and of both sexes have been put into class C; and whether this is in accordance with the regulations for the classification of prisoners laid down by the Bombay Circular No. P.117, dated 17th April, 1930?
§ Sir S. HOAREI have seen the statement referred to, though I have no official information. As the result, however, of inquiries which I made a little while ago, I am satisfied that the rules regarding the classification of prisoners are being correctly applied by the Government of Bombay. I would point out that anyone who is dissatisfied with this classification has the right to represent his case to the local Government, by whom it is fully investigated.
§ Miss RATHBONECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the regulations in question are in fact those contained in the circular named in the question?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe regulations are as stated in my answer to the hon. Lady.
§ Miss RATHBONEWill the right hon. Gentleman see what the regulations are, and, if they are different from those that have already been printed in the circular referred to, will he undertake to see that the regulations now in force will be printed, so that those of us who hear stories as to the ill-treatment of prisoners may have a way of satisfying ourselves whether or not the complaints are justified by the regulations?
§ Sir S. HOAREI will certainly look into the hon. Lady's question, but, so far as I know, there is no difference whatever between the circular and the way in which the regulations are being carried out.
§ 4. Miss RATHBONEasked the Secretary of State for India whether there is any regulation in force in Indian prisons requiring that women political prisoners, whose condition requires it and who object to attendance by a male doctor, should be permitted to see a female doctor, whether at the public expense or their own; and whether all women prisoners affected by this regulation are allowed to make use of it?
§ Sir S. HOAREI am not aware of any regulation in India entitling a female prisoner to demand to be examined by a lady doctor, but I have no doubt that every effort would be made to meet any reasonable request of this kind.