asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many prisoners have been released in India since the 1st July and by which Provinces; and how does the total compare with the total for the corresponding months in 1936.

I presume that my hon. and gallant Friend refers to premature releases only. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving approximate figures for the various Provinces in so far as it has been possible to collect and classify them in the time available. I understand that in the United Provinces, in accordance with a practice which has been followed in the past, the Government has decided, for reasons of economy and similar considerations, to release in the immediate future about 3,000 prisoners who are serving short terms of imprisonment or whose sentences are shortly due to expire. Prisoners serving sentences for violent crimes, e.g., dacoities, would not be eligible for release. Similar orders have also been passed in Bengal.

Does not the Noble Lord consider that in the past these large releases have been followed by recrudescences of crime; and does he not think that these releases now, will have a depressing effect on Indian officers in the police?

All considerations were taken into account, and we most certainly hope that the releases will not have the effect suggested.