§ 36. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Secretary of State for India, what scale of allowances is paid to detenus in Bengal to cover their expenses; and what the total cost per head is to the Government?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Sir Samuel Hoare)In the Bengal Criminal Law Amendment Act recently passed the section in the previous Acts which authorised the grant of allowances to detenus and their families was amended so as to give Government discretion to make an allowance to the detenu in kind instead of in cash, and also to take into account his income and that of his relatives in fixing the amount of any allowances to be granted to him or his dependants. I am informed that the allowances made under the previous Acts averaged about one rupee per day per detenu; but I have not yet had time to receive a reply to the inquiries I have made as to the effect of the alteration of the section, and I am unable therefore to give a reply to the last part of my hon. Friend's question.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that dissatisfaction has been expressed publicly by all communities regarding the allowances given to these detenus, in comparison with the amounts received by coolies and other ordinary workers of the loyal communities?
§ Sir S. HOAREI am aware that there is grave dissatisfaction in many circles in India about this; and on that account I am glad that the amending Act has been passed. I hope that I shall find that the amending Act deals with what has, in the past, been almost a scandal.