§ 61. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for India the total number to date of British and Indian killed and wounded arising out of disturbances in India during the preceding 12 months; and how many punishments by whipping have been imposed?
§ Mr. AmeryMy information relates only to the period from 9th August to 30th November during which 1,028 persons lost their lives in connection with the disturbances and 3,215 were more or less seriously injured. The number of casualties among European British subjects was naturally very small in proportion to the total but precise figures are not available to me. During the same period 958 sentences of whipping, or as it should be described, of caning, were imposed in British India, excluding the United Provinces for which figures have not been supplied.
§ Mr. SorensenDoes not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that if these floggings had been imposed in this country, the whole House would have felt outraged?
§ Mr. ThorneWhat kind of cane is used?
§ Sir Patrick HannonDo not Questions of this kind on the Order Paper create very serious disturbances in India?
§ Mr. SorensenIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.