§ 23. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for India whether the appeal against the sentence imposed upon the Meerut prisoners has been lodged by them or on their behalf; and are they undergoing hard labour until the date of the hearing of the appeal?
§ Sir S. HOARETwo prisoners up to the present have actually filed appeals. I am informed that all the prisoners are being employed on light labour, which is of a merely nominal character, in order to facilitate the preparation of appeals.
§ 28. Mr. MORGAN JONESasked the Secretary of State for India when it is expected that the appeals in the Meerut conspiracy case will be beard by the high court at Allahabad; and whether he will take steps to see that the hearing of the appeals is expedited?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe Government of India inform me that the High Court is not likely to be able to hear appeals in this case before the vacation, which covers May and June. The High Court is, however, being asked to fix as early a date as possible after the vacation.