§ 2. Mr. LUNN (for Mr. T. WILLIAMS)asked the Secretary of State for India how long the three prisoners who were acquitted in the Meerut conspiracy trial had been in prison; and whether they received any compensation for such imprisonment?
§ Sir S. HOAREThese three prisoners were arrested in March, 1929. They were released on bail in May, 1931. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ 5. Mr. TINKER (for Mr. KIRKWOOD)asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that, in addition to the severe sentences imposed on the Meerut conspiracy case prisoners, they are now denied the use of tables, chairs, and lights in the gaol; whether he will state in what class the prisoners have 1428 been placed; and what is the value in English currency of the food allowance of prisoners in each of the three classes, A, B, and C?
§ Sir S. HOAREI am informed by the Government of India that the prisoners were recommended by the judge for "C" class treatment, but are actually being treated as class "B" prisoners by order of the local Government. I have no reason to suppose that they are being deprived of any of the privileges laid down for prisoners of that class. I have not the material to answer the last part of the question.
§ Mr. MORGAN JONESDoes not the right hon. Gentleman consider the time has arrived, in view of the prolonged time occupied on the trial, to transfer these people, at least temporarily pending 'an appeal, to the "A" class rather than the "C" class?
§ Sir S. HOAREPrisoners are entitled in questions of that kind to make representations to the provincial authorities. Whether they have made those representations I do not know, but they are entitled to make them.
§ Mr. JONESCould not the right hon. Gentleman himself, in view of the fact that these men might very well be regarded as political prisoners, initiate a recommendation that they might be transferred to class "A"
§ Sir S. HOAREI think that the fact that the authorities have given them class "B" privileges in place of class "C," which was the sentence of the judge, shows that the authorities are very much alive to their responsibilities.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODHas an appeal yet been put in?
§ Sir S. HOAREI do not know.
§ 4. Mr. McENTEE (for Mr. GROVES)asked the Secretary of State for India if he is aware that Dr. Choiteram Ghidvani, a doctor in Bombay, was taken recently for a train journey of over 36 hours when seriously ill, was handcuffed all the time and not allowed to buy milk though in an exhausted condition; and whether he will have an inquiry instituted as to the treatment of political prisoners, and especially women and invalid persons, to ensure that on such train journeys unnecessary hardship shall not be caused?
§ Sir S. HOAREI have no information in regard to Dr. Ghidvani. As regards the second part of the question, the transfer of prisoners is governed by the provisions of the Jail Manuals of the various provinces. These provide for their medical examination before transfer and for their diet during the journey. I have no reason to suppose that any revision is called for.
§ 6. Mr. McENTEE (for Mr. GROVES)asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that in the police evidence against Mr. P. B. Sinha, barrister, who was recently sentenced to 18 months' rigorous imprisonment at Benares, one of the charges was that he had sent news about Congress activities to the India League in London; and if he will state under what Ordinance or Statute it is an offence to send information from India to this association?
§ Sir S. HOAREMr. Sinha was charged with assisting in the management of an unlawful association—the All India Congress Committe—and convicted under Section 17 (2) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1908.
§ 26. Mr. D. GRENFELL (for Dr. JOHN WILLIAMS)asked the Secretary of State for India whether any difference is being made in the treatment accorded to the Indian and the British prisoners convicted in the Meerut case on the same or allied charges?
§ Sir S. HOAREI understand that there is no discrimination between the prisoners. All have been raised from "C" to "B" class by the Local Government.