§ 67. Miss RATHBONEasked the Secretary of State for India whether it is the rule or custom for persons arrested without warrant and detained in custody under the ordinances to be informed of the nature of the offence or intended offence for which they are so detained?
Captain HUDSONMy right hon. Friend presumes that the hon. Member refers to persons arrested under Section 3 of the Emergency Powers Ordinance. Such persons would no doubt be informed that they were arrested because there were reasonable grounds for believing that they had acted or were about to act in a manner prejudicial to the public safety or peace, which in most cases would mean assisting the operations of unlawful associations. As the hon. Member will be aware it is the custom of Local Governments speedily to release persons willing to give a satisfactory undertaking to abstain from such activities.