§ 6. Mr. D. GRENFELLasked the Secretary of State for India how many prisoners have been sent to the Andamans; and whether the Government of India intend to reverse their previously declared policy and adopt this method of dealing with prisoners?
§ Sir H. HOAREThe Government of India have made no change in their policy of gradually abolishing the penal settlement in the Andamans, but approval has recently been given to the transfer, as a special measure, of about 100 prisoners, convicted in connection with the terrorist movement, from gaols in Bengal to the Andamans. They will serve their sentences in the cellular gaol.
§ Mr. GRENFELLHas not the Andamans been condemned as a penal settlement on account of its unhealthy climate and the conditions under which prisoners are kept?
§ Sir S. HOAREWe had a further investigation into questions of that kind, and I can assure the hon. Member that the climate is not unhealthy as he suggests, and that detailed consideration has been given to see that prisoners Live under reasonable conditions.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is now 10 years since it was decided that the Andaman Settlement should be put to an end, and are we to understand that the policy of the Government has been reversed?
§ Sir S. HOARENo, Sir. I think that if the right hon. and gallant Gentleman considers my answer he will see the statement that:
The Government of India have made no change in their policy of gradually abolishing the penal settlement in the Andamans.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs not 10 years rather a long time for the gradual abolition of the Settlement?
§ Sir S. HOAREThat is a matter of opinion.
§ Mr. ATTLEEHas there been any change in the climate and so forth of the Andamans upon which I gather that the previous decision was taken?
§ Sir S. HOARESome years ago there were certain charges made against the state of affairs in the Andamans. [Interruption.] No, exactly. That is what I said. We made inquiries again, and there is no likelihood of those conditions being repeated.
§ Sir A. KNOXIs it not a fact that British soldiers are stationed in the Andamans, and, if the climate is good enough for them, is it not good enough for Indian terrorists?