§ 3. Mr. DAYasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government will consider, as an act of further clemency and for the purpose of celebrating the forthcoming Coronation of His Majesty, recommending to the Viceroy to grant an amnesty to political prisoners who were convicted for offences of a non-violent character, and/or all the civil disobedience prisoners who still remain in prison?
§ Mr. BUTLERI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a similar question by the hon. Member for Shoreditch (Mr.Thurtle) on 9th November, to which I have nothing to add
§ Mr. DAYAre the sentences passed on civil disobedience prisoners in India reviewed from time to time?
§ Mr. BUTLERThere are no longer any civil disobedience prisoners still in goal in India.
§ 10. Mr. JAGGERasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that one Miss Renuka Sen, a master of arts of Calcutta, was recently arrested for breaking a restraint order served on her, and that she had intimated to the Government of Bengal that it was impossible for her to follow an occupation and earn a living within the area within which the order of the local government had restricted her movements; and what steps are taken by the local government of Bengal to ensure that the persons whom it restrains by order to limit their movements to specified areas have an opportunity of earning their living or are provided adequate maintenance?
§ Mr. BUTLERI have no information concerning Miss Renuka Sen, but I will make inquiries. With regard to the second part of the question, I would inform the hon. Member that all the circumstances of detenus restricted to certain areas are taken into consideration by the local government in dealing with the question of the grant of an allowance.
§ Mr. JAGGERAre any steps being taken to see that this practice is put an end to?
§ Mr. BUTLERApart from taking steps it is a certainty that the Government have in specific instances released under special conditions certain of these persons.
§ Mr. JAGGERBut I am asking about ceasing to arrest persons in such circumstances.
§ Mr. BUTLERIf they cease their connection with terrorism they will not be arrested.