§ 16. Mr. WEDGWOODasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether it is a rule in Bombay that Government servants are not allowed to express an opinion upon any principle approved of, or action taken by, the Government; and, if so, in what manner can legitimate grievances be brought to the notice of a Government thus debarred from learning the bonâ fide desires and aspirations of their officials, so as to avoid the growth of hidden unrest in India?
§ Mr. MONTAGUMy hon. Friend misquotes, and evidently misunderstands, one of the Government Servants' Conduct Rules in force throughout British India. The rule, as it stands at present, is that a Government servant may not publish in his own name any statement of fact or opinion which may embarrass the relations between Government and the people of India or any section of the people. This rule as to public speeches and writings does not in the least impair the freedom of direct representations to Government by officials.