§ 6. Miss RATHBONEasked the Secretary of State for India how many persons convicted of political offences or under preventive detention are now in prison in India; and how they are distributed in classes A, B, and C?
§ Sir S. HOAREOn the 31st January the number of persons in prison convicted of offences connected with the Civil Disobedience Movement was 13,788. Persons detained without trial in connection with the same movement numbered 86. As regards the last part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Morgan Jones) on the 22nd December last.
§ Mr. MAXTONAre the Meerut prisoners included in the list of political prisoners?
§ Sir S. HOARENo, the question referred only to civil disobedience.
§ Mr. MAXTONOh, no, political offences.
§ Sir S. HOAREI am not quite sure, and I will look into the point which the hon. Member raises.
§ 18. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary of State for India whether further consideration has been given to the possibility of releasing political prisoners in India so that they may make their contribution during the forthcoming discussions?
§ Sir S. HOAREI regret that I cannot add anything to my previous statements on this matter.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSAre we not fast approaching the stage when many political prisoners will be called upon to work any new Constitution that may be produced, and would it not be an act of wisdom to grant a reprieve to many of them, particularly to those who have not been charged with any offence?
§ Sir S. HOARENo, Sir, I am afraid that I have nothing to add to the statement which I made on this subject some weeks ago.
§ 22. Mr. MAXTONasked the Secretary of State for India whether he will make a statement regarding the health of the Meerut conspiracy case prisoners; whether any of them have died in gaol during the period of detention; and, if so, what was the cause of their death?
§ Sir S. HOARESo far as I am aware the health of the prisoners is quite satisfactory. No prisoner has died in jail. Mr. Thengdi, who died last autumn, had been on bail since June, 1931. The cause of his death was hypostatic congestion of the lungs.
§ 23. Mr. MAXTONasked the Secretary of State for India whether the persons convicted in the Meerut conspiracy case have appealed to the High Court against their sentence's; when the appeal will be heard; and whether bail may be granted to the appellants to facilitate the preparation of their appeal during, and previous to, the appeal period?
§ Sir S. HOAREAppeals have been filed. As I have already stated, the High Court are not likely to be able to hear them until after the vacation, which covers May and June. The question of bail is one for the High Court itself to decide.
§ Mr. MORGAN JONESHave there been appeals on the part of all the prisoners, or only on the part of a number?
§ Sir S. HOAREI have not yet full information on the subject. Certainly appeals have been filed, but I am not sure how many. I will make inquiries and let the hon. Member know.