§ 1. Mr. BERNAYSasked the Secretary of State for India whether he will call for a report on the case of the condemned prisoner who was executed on 21st November in Lahore Central Gaol, though orders had been issued on the previous day postponing the execution?
§ 2. Mr. SUMMERSBYasked the Secretary of State for India if he will make a statement on the circumstances under which a condemned prisoner was executed in Lahore Gaol on 21st November, when orders postponing such execution had been issued on the previous day?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Sir Samuel Hoare)I have received the following information from the Government of India. The prisoner was sentenced to death for murder and his petition for mercy was rejected by the Governor-General in Council on 15th November. On the following day the Superintendent of the Central Gaol at Lahore was directed to carry out the execution on the 21st November. On Saturday, 18th November, a telegram was received from the prisoner's father intimating that it was his intention to appeal to the Privy Council and requesting a stay of execution. Written orders were despatched by special messenger to the Gaol Superintendent on Monday morning instructing him to postpone the 3 execution pending further orders. For reasons which cannot be fully ascertained until further inquiries have been completed, the orders failed to reach the Superintendent that day. The execution took place in the early morning of Tuesday, 21st November, before the Superintendent went to his office and opened the letter. An investigation by a responsible officer is proceeding.
§ Mr. BERNAYSWhile thanking my right hon. Friend, may I ask whether he will make representations to the Government of India that, in view of this deplorable incident, communications of this kind should be made by telegram?
§ Sir S. HOAREI think I had better wait for the investigation before I make any further comment. I think I have said enough to show that investigation is urgently needed.