Item 3 - Telegram from Lord Reading to Edwin Montagu

Refers to A3/12/4, and apologises for the delay in replying. The decision whether rigorous or simple imprisonment should be awarded for offences depends on the law and the discretion of the magistrate, but in many provinces political prisoners are accorded special treatment. He has suggested to Local Governments that simple imprisonment will be sufficient in many cases. He does not think it possible to detain prisoners in any other places than jails. He is aware of the desirability of avoiding the arrest of women. Clarifies the law as to picketing. Nehru was given six months’ simple imprisonment under the Criminal Law Amendment Act and is be-ing treated as a first class misdemeanant.

(Typed.)