Oral Answers to Questions — India. – in the House of Commons at on 26 November 1934.
Colonel Josiah Wedgwood
, Newcastle-under-Lyme
asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will now allow Pandit Jawaharilal Nehru to be set at liberty?
Mr Samuel Hoare
, Chelsea
No, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Normanton (Mr. T. Smith) on 16th July, to which I have nothing to add.
Colonel Josiah Wedgwood
, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the publication of the report might be a good opportunity for the release of this gentleman, who is of superior ability and intelligence, and could represent the Indian people's view?
Mr Samuel Hoare
, Chelsea
No, Sir. I have considered this case very carefully. The individual in question was convicted, not under any emergency powers legislation, but under the ordinary Statute law, and I do not feel justified in intervening in the way suggested.
Colonel Josiah Wedgwood
, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Is it not a fact that he has been in prison two years already?
Mr Samuel Hoare
, Chelsea
No, Sir, I do not think it is.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
