HC Deb 19 December 1912 vol 45 cc1720-1W
Sir J. D. REES

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Secretary of State is aware that Mr. Channing Arnold was found guilty by the judge of the Chief Court of Burma, Sir Charles Fox, and a jury, of the offence of libelling Mr. Andrews, the magistrate of Mergui, in having accused him of corruptly exercising his powers; whether he is aware that public feeling in India and Burma has been aroused in regard to these attacks upon the honesty of the judiciary of the Courts in Burma; and whether the Secretary of State will abstain from giving any colourable support to such agitation by refraining from taking any action in favour of Mr. Arnold till he has received a full report upon the case?

Mr. H. BAKER

I have nothing to add to the remarks I made recently on the Adjournment, and the answer given on the 17th instant.

Mr. C. BATHURST

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how long it is proposed to wait on the chance of Mr. Channing Arnold deciding to appeal to the Privy Council against the decision of the Burma Court sentencing him to twelve months' imprisonment before the Government of India will conduct an inquiry into the question of the undue severity of his sentence?

Mr. MORRELL

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India, whether he can give any further information as to the case of Mr. Arnold?

Mr. BAKER

The question raised by the hon. Member for the Wilton Division is one that at present rests with Mr. Arnold himself, but his advocate has promised further information, which will be at once telegraphed to the Secretary of State. The Burma Chief Court has dismissed the application for the revision of the acquittal of Captain McCormick. That application involved the matters which led to Mr. Arnold's conviction for defamation. The proceedings of the Court have been called for by the Government of India, who, on their receipt, will examine the whole case on its merits. As regards Mr. Arnold's treatment in prison, the rules allow considerable privileges to educated prisoners undergoing simple imprisonment, and the Secretary of State is confident that they are being satisfactorily interpreted.