§ 7. Mr. THURTLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the approaching coming into operation of the new Constitution in India and the desirability of creating an atmosphere of good will for this development, the Government of India will consider releasing the large number of people at present deprived of their liberty on political grounds, many of whom have not been given an opportunity of defending themselves in a court of law?
§ Mr. BUTLERNo, Sir. I would point out that there are no longer any Civil Disobedience prisoners still in jail, and practically all those non-convicted were detained because of their association with terrorism.
§ Mr. THURTLEIs not the Under-Secretary considering the possibility of releasing some of those who have been detained in that way, and is he not going to bring out an amnesty list of any kind?
§ Mr. BUTLERI think there can be no question of an amnesty, but the hon. Member will be aware that the Government of Bengal have in certain cases released certain detenus with a view to training them for a return to ordinary life.