HC Deb 30 April 1936 vol 311 cc1099-100
81. Mr. SORENSEN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether intercepted letters concerning Mr. Subhas C. Bose will be published; and whether informers have been employed in order to discover evidence against him?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Butler)

Certain passages from intercepted letters were read out by the Government speakers in the debate in regard to Mr. Bose's case in the Legislative Assembly on 23rd March, the report of which I am sending to the hon. Member. It is not proposed to publish anything further. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Mr. SORENSEN

Would it not be better for those who are taking an interest in the future of India to be acquainted with the nature of the charge made against this particular man, and would it not be better that we should be acquainted with the actual text of the letters?

Mr. BUTLER

I am sending to the hon. Gentleman a copy of the report of the debate of the Legislative Assembly, which contains a great deal of material on this subject, and the same information will be placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. SORENSEN

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that by some 62 votes to 59 the arrest of Mr. Bose was censured in the Assembly as recently as three weeks ago?

82. Mr. SORENSEN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many terms of imprisonment have been served by Mr. Subhas C. Bose since 1921?

Mr. BUTLER

Mr. Bose has been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment on four occasions. He has also been detained on three occasions under Regulation III of 1818.

Mr. SORENSEN

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that in Bengal there is considerable perturbation regarding the arrest of Mr. Bose, and that it is considered by many prominent officials in Bengal that, in view of the punishment which has been delivered and experienced by him, no further punishment is necessary?

Mr. BUTLER

The information of my Noble Friend is that when Mr. Bose regained his liberty he became the centre and focus of revolutionary activity.

Mr. SORENSEN

May I ask precisely what is the charge against him and when the Government of India will bring him to trial?

Mr. BUTLER

I would ask the hon. Gentleman to read the debates of the Legislative Assembly, which will give him a great deal of information as to the reason for the detention of Mr. Bose.

Mr. GALLACHER

In view of the fact that I am a centre of revolutionary activity, will the hon. Gentleman arrest me?