§ Captain O'GRADYasked the Under-Secretary of State for India, whether his attention has been called to the verdicts in the case of rioters at Chauri Chaura showing that 19 have been condemned to death and 110 sentenced to transportation for life; and whether, having regard to 2193W the feeling of the peoples of India in the matter of what is regarded as these severe sentences, he will make representations to the Viceroy that the prerogative of clemency might be exercised in these cases?
§ Earl WINTERTONI assume that the hon. and gallant Member is intending to refer, not to the power to grant pardons, which is delegated personally to the Governor-General by the Crown, and occasion for the use of which cannot yet in any case have arisen in this instance, but to the power which is vested by the Code of Criminal Procedure in local Governments and the Government of India to remit or commute sentences, and which is very commonly invoked by persons condemned to death or long terms of imprisonment. My Noble Friend would not be disposed to interfere with the statutory discretion vested in the authorities I have mentioned and which they would use with full knowledge of all the facts and circumstances.