§ 1. Mr. David Grenfellasked the Undersecretary of State for India whether he has any statement to make on the arrest and imprisonment of Hindu demonstrators at Aurangabad, Nizam State, on 17th June; and what representations he has received regarding the conduct of the police during the arrests and subsequent to the incarceration of these men and women in the prison at Aurangabad?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadI have received from the Incorporated Hindu Association in London, and I have seen 1779 in the Indian Press, an allegation that on 7th and 8th June prisoners in the Aurangabad Gaol were ill-treated. I have also seen in the Indian Press a categorical denial of this allegation by the Hyderabad authorities.
§ Mr. GrenfellHas the hon. and gallant Gentleman any means of discovering which of these two reports is accurate? Will he make those inquiries, and inform the House whether the complaints are really justified or not?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadI explained recently to the right hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) how we were situated in the matter. The Resident is in close touch with the Ruler, and my Noble Friend is in close touch with the Crown representative, but it would be necessary to be satisfied that special circumstances existed before it would be appropriate to ask for a special inquiry.
§ Mr. GrenfellAre not reports of 100 people being maltreated while in custody sufficiently important to warrant a special inquiry by the Resident?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadAs I said, my Noble Friend is in close touch with the Crown representative on this matter, but up to the moment he is not satisfied that a case has been made out for a special inquiry.
§ Mr. GrenfellWill the hon. and gallant Member undertake to make a report on the subject to this House?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadI would prefer to wait and see what particular information was received.