§ Sir C. YATEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, considering that the majority of the Sikh community in the Punjab has refused to accept the legal solution of the Sikh religious differences provided by the Sikh Shrines Act passed into law last year by the Punjab Council, and that the hostile attitude of a large section of malcontent Sikhs has now led to serious disorders, threatening the security of many parts of the province and requiring the frequent calling out of troops to maintain order, resulting in a situation which is menacing the safety of the Punjab and reacting on other provinces, the Secretary of State will now consider the question of transferring the disturbed Sikh areas either to the adjoining Sikh native states or else of restoring some of the old Sikh states in those areas in the hope that the Sikhs themselves under Sikh rulers will be able to deal more effectively with the situation that has arisen from Sikh differences over Sikh religious affairs?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe reply to the hon. and gallant Member's question is in the negative.
§ Sir C. YATEDoes the Secretary of State realise the danger of the situation in the Punjab, and the necessity for special measures to deal with it?
§ Earl WINTERTONOne may see certain dangers in the present situation without accepting the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion for dealing with it.
§ Sir C. YATECan the Noble Lord give me an alternative?
§ Earl WINTERTONI should be pleased to do so in debate.