HC Deb 10 December 1934 vol 296 cc1-3
1. Mr. HALES

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the serious illness of Mrs. Kamala Nehru, the wife of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, he will reconsider his decision and direct the liberation of the Pandit as an act of grace?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Butler)

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was released in the summer for a period in order that he might be with his wife and he has been recently transfered to a jail near to the sanatorium, where she now is, so that he may see her once or twice weekly in accordance with the advice of the doctors. These are very considerable concessions and my right hon. Friend is not prepared to recommend to the Government of India that they should go beyond them.

Mr. HALES

Having regard to the fact that the Indian elections are over and having consideration of the serious illness of Mrs. Nehru, does not my hon. Friend consider that the time is opportune for the exercise of that clemency which would give widespread satisfaction in India?

Mr. BUTLER

I have nothing to add to what I have said.

Mr. HALES

Would it remove the difficulty if Pandit Nehru gave an undertaking not to interfere with politics until the expiration of his sentence?

3. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can say how long Pandit Nehru had been free when he was sentenced last February; what court and what judge sentenced him to two years' imprisonment; and whether he has read the inflammatory speeches which were the subject of the charge?

Mr. BUTLER

Nehru had been at liberty for five and a-half months when he was sentenced by the Chief Presidency Magistrate, Calcutta, last February. I have not read the full text of the speeches in question but the summary contained in the magistrate's judgment leaves me in no doubt as to their seditious and inflammatory character.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

The hon. Gentleman has not answered the second part of my question as to what court and what judge sentenced him.

Mr. BUTLER

In my original answer I said the Chief Presidency Magistrate of Calcutta sentenced him.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Is he the same judge who criticised my hon. Friend the Member for Hanley (Mr. Hales)?

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