HC Deb 21 February 1917 vol 90 cc1351-2W
Mr. GINNELL

asked the Secretary of State for India if he is now in a position to state the number of persons executed and sentenced to penal servitude, respectively, in connection with the alleged political conspiracy against British rule in India; and how the special tribunal which tried those cases was constituted?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

There is no doubt as to the reality of the conspiracy, which has been the subject of three trials before special tribunals, each consisting of two Sessions judges and an Indian pleader. I gave the hon. Member on the 12th December particulars of the sentences in the first trial. In the second six men were sentenced to death (five of whom were executed) and forty-five to transportation for life; in the third six men were sentenced to death and five to transportation or imprisonment for life I have not yet received an official report of this last trial, which was not concluded until last month, and I do not know whether any of the sentences were commuted.