§ 6. Captain PETER MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for India if he has any further information regarding the campaign of civil disobedience being conducted by Mahatma Gandhi?
§ 7. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Secretary of State for India if he will give the House the latest information available regarding the situation in India and the civil disobedience movement?
§ Mr. BENNThe movement initiated by Mr. Gandhi has developed generally along the lines which were anticipated. Broadly speaking, it may be said that the defiance of the Salt Law has in itself not caused much trouble. Its real significance lies in the attempt to use it as a means of rousing public sentiment to a dangerous pitch, and in one or two places the public demonstrations have, I regret to say, resulted in clashes with the police. As I said last week, it is too early yet to give an appreciation of the effects of this campaign, but I have every confidence that the steps taken by the Government of India will be adequate to deal with the situation as it may develop.
Earl WINTERTONCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many persons have been arrested since the beginning of the campaign of disobedience for breaking the law in connection with salt and other matters?
§ Mr. BENNI will gladly do what the Noble Lord desires and will ask for specific information on that point.
§ Mr. BROCKWAYCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is the case that Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the Chairman of the India National Congress, has been arrested to day arising from that campaign?
§ Mr. BENNI have seen that announcement made in the newspapers, but I have no information officially of the arrest.
§ Mr. BROCKWAYCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is the case that the principal share markets in Bombay have been closed and that—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat matter does not arise out of the question.