BENGAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT. (Hansard, 22 March 1926)

§ 7.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if, in view of the fact that the validity of every order of restriction under the Bengal Criminal Justice Act is limited by law to a period of one year, he will recommend that as and when these orders expire in future there shall be no renewals without a public examination of the evidence upon which the orders are based, in accordance with the ordinary procedure of the law?

§ Lord WINTERTON

No, Sir. A public examination of the evidence is no more practicable at the end of the year than at the beginning.

§ Mr. THURTLE

Does the Noble Lord wish to convey to the House that the Government of India propose to keep those men confined for lifetime without trial?

§ Lord WINTERTON

The hon. Member was himself a member of the deputation which discussed this matter fully with the Secretary of State, and I shall be pleased to answer the question he has put very fully if he will raise the matter in debate.