§ 20. Mr. BRACKENasked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the fact that the insurance premiums of certain 'members of Congress and other political bodies now undergoing imprisonment in India are being paid by the Government of India, he will consider the advisability of paying the insurance premiums of members of the Indian Civil Services who have suffered financial hardships through salary reductions?
§ Sir S. HOARENo, Sir.
§ Mr. BRACKENDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that it is a pity that we should subsidise seditionists while whittling down the salaries of loyal servants of the Crown?
§ Sir S. HOAREI would not admit the justice of the hon. Member's question. There is no connection between the two parts of the question. The first part concerns an arrangement that has been in operation for many years. I will add something else in answer to the hon. Member's next question.
§ 21. Mr. BRACKENasked the Secretary of State for India if he will give a list 13 of the members of Congress and other political organisations who, while undergoing imprisonment in India, receive grants of sums up to £1,000 per year from the Government of India; and whether, when the salaries of the Indian Civil Service were reduced, a proportionate reduction was made in the grants given to those imprisoned Indians?
§ Sir S. HOAREI regret I have no recent information which would enable me to answer the first part of the question. As regards the second part, these allowances have been reviewed more than once in the last 18 months and the principal standard rates have been reduced by very much more than 10 per cent. I am satisfied that due economy is exercised.
§ Mr. BRACKENIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that some six months ago he promised to provide the House with this information? Why does he now wish to conceal the information from the House?
§ Sir S. HOAREI made no such promise. I told the hon. Gentleman that if he required the information I would try to obtain it from India. I have heard nothing more from the hon. Gentleman since the date he asked the question.
§ Mr. BRACKENI asked the right hon. Gentleman for some information, and he told me he would provide it. He does not provide it. I do not know what other process is open to me except to put down a question in the House.
§ Sir S. HOAREI think that there must have been some misunderstanding between the hon. Gentleman and myself. I was expecting to hear from him again on the subject. I am prepared to show him the information that I have got if he desires it.
§ Sir WILLIAM DAVISONIs it a fact that, as stated in the question, advances are being made to political prisoners in India?
§ Sir S. HOAREI have no recent information on that point, but it is true that in one or two exceptional instances large grants have been made. The reason is that these prisoners have not been convicted, and, under the Statute law of India, due allowances have to be made 14 for them and their families. The Statute has been in existence for many years, and I am merely carrying out the obligations of the Statute law.