§ 2. Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Under secretary of State for India whether, in view of the anxiety felt on the matter by the relations of 5,000 arrested in the Deccan, he will ask the Resident for a report on the condition of these prisoners?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadAs I informed the right hon. and gallant Member on 19th June, the reports which have 3 been received from the Resident at Hyderabad afford no reason to think that the treatment of prisoners by the State authorities is open to criticism. The gaols in Hyderabad are administered by the Government of His Exalted Highness the Nizam and not by the Crown Representative. It would not be in accordance with practice to address an inquiry to that Government regarding such a matter of internal administration unless there were reason to believe that serious abuses existed. I understand that the Hyderabad Government have issued a communiquèdealing with certain allegations made in this connection. I am sending for a copy of it and will communicate with the right hon. and gallant Member when it is received.
§ Colonel WedgwoodAm I to understand from the reply that we have no power to inspect the gaols at Hyderabad or that the police have no power to make inquiries of any sort? What powers have we in Hyderabad?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadThere is no direct power, because the gaols are under the Hyderabad Government. Of course, the Crown representative could call for a special report, but, as I have pointed out, he would need to feel that the circumstances called for such action to be taken.
§ Colonel WedgwoodAre we to understand that since the passage of the Government of India Act we are powerless to do anything to restrain the violence of these independant sovereigns in India?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadI do not think that the Government of India Act has any bearing on a matter such as this which comes within the jurisdiction of the Ruler of a State.