HC Deb 21 October 1946 vol 427 cc1316-20
Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

(By private notice) asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has any statement to make about the state of public order in Bengal.

The Under-Secretary of State for India (Mr. Arthur Henderson)

During the weekend, the Governor with his chief Minister made two extensive flights over the affected area of South-East Bengal. He reported last night to the following effect:

There has been no general rising of Muslims against Hindus. The disturbances have been caused by a body of hooligans, who have exploited the existing communal feeling, and who, as they range the countryside, are temporarily joined in each locality by belligerent Moslem roughs. No reliable figures showing the extent of their depredations can yet be given.

The restoration of order is hampered by bad communications, which make it difficult to establish contact with the main body of rioters. Operations have for some days been in progress with the object of localising the disturbances; five companies of troops and some 300 armed police are participating. There is reason to believe that the actual disturbances are now confined to the extreme north-west corner of the Noakhali district and the three south-western police station areas of the Chandpur Sub-division of Tippera District. Leaflets issued by the Bengal Ministry have been widely scattered from aircraft, deprecating lawlessness and appealing, especially to the Moslems, for peace.

The, damage caused to property will probably prove heavy; but the evidence available supports the conclusion that the estimate of 5,000 dead quoted in the Calcutta Press is a great exaggeration. The Governor thinks that the number will certainly not be in the four-figure category and expects it to be low in the three-figure category.

The panic caused by the roving bands has spread far beyond the areas actually affected and there are at least 30,000 refugees in the Government relief centres, a large proportion having come from places where there have been no disturbances. Arrangements are in hand for providing these people with food and medical relief. With the object of establishing conditions in which the refugees can return to their homes without fear, the Governor has secured the services of two additional battalions of troops for local protection duties. In the town and district of Dacca the situation has been definitely quieter since 15th October. During the past week there have been only four serious incidents, with three fatal casualties. The previous extreme tension is lessening, but there is still very great suspicion between-the two communities.

In Calcutta, after a quiet week with a few isolated incidents, there was an increase of incidents on 19th October. Rapprochement between the two communities is making only slow progress because of the news from South-East Bengal and some amount of reciprocal economic boycott. Tension is still high, though generally the normal life of the city is proceeding. Police in large numbers, as well as the military, are still patrolling the city.

Mr. Nicholson

I feel bound to thank the hon. and learned Member most sincerely for such a full statement. I should like to ask him two things. First of all, will he keep the House informed continually about the progress of this threatening state of affairs? Secondly, may I say that I hope he realises that in this country we cannot dissociate ourselves from a feeling of responsibility when large numbers of our fellow subjects are being killed in the course of civil commotion? I hope the hon. and learned Member realises also that Members of this House regard this situation as a very serious matter indeed.

Mr. Henderson

I am well aware of the feeling to which the hon. Member has referred in the second part of his supplementary question. Of course, he will appreciate that law and order is a Provincial subject, and that therefore the responsibility is primarily on the Bengal Ministry and the Bengal Legislature. As regards the first part of his question, let me say that I am always only too happy to answer questions which may be addressed to me by hon. Members.

Mr. Nicholson

I hope the hon. and learned Gentleman will not give the impression that no responsibility for law and order attaches to the Governor of a Province. Under the existing Constitution, an overriding responsibility attaches to the Governor and that is obviously reflected back on to the hon. and learned Member's own Department and to this House.

Mr. Henderson

I thought I said that primarily the responsibility was on the Provincial Government. After all, the Provincial Government is in charge of the police. It is quite correct that under the provisions of the Government of India Act, 1935, the Governor has a special responsibility when a situation arises which is a direct threat to the peace and tranquillity of his Province. Nevertheless, primary responsibility must rest upon the duly elected Government.

Mr. Sorensen

What truth is there in the statement that numbers of girls are being abducted? If it is so, what action is being taken?

Mr. Henderson

All I can say with regard to that point is that, three or four days ago, the Governor stated in one of his reports that he had been informed of allegations to the effect that abductions, and a number of forcible conversions, had taken place, but no direct evidence has been received with regard to either allegation.

Mr. Sorensen

Will my hon. and learned Friend make inquiry on the point?

Mr. Henderson

My hon. Friend may take it that proper inquiries are being made.

Mr. Nicholson

On a point of Order. Am I right, Mr. Speaker, in believing that because the Debate during the remainder of the day will take place upon a Motion for the Adjournment of the House, I should be out of Order in seeking to move the Adjournment upon a definite matter of urgent public importance?

Mr. Speaker

It is perfectly true that the Debate will take place upon the Motion for the Adjournment. Of course, there is another consideration; it might be that I would not accept the hon. Member's Motion.

Mr. Nicholson

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the state of affairs in Bengal.

Mr. Speaker

That Motion should be written out and delivered to me, so that I could consider it. I must point out that the state of affairs in Bengal is a continuing matter. It is only one episode answer. May I ask whether it would in stabbings and disturbances that have been going on not only in Bengal, but in Calcutta and elsewhere. There have been riots for some time between Moslems and Hindus. It is not a single, definite matter. There is another objection; that facts are not known. One cannot move a Motion to call attention to a definite matter of urgent public importance when the facts are not known, and to ask leave to move the Adjournment in order to ascertain the facts is out of Order. It must be refused. Therefore, on two grounds, the hon. Member's Motion would be out of Order.

Mr. Nicholson

I would not presume to argue with you, Mr. Speaker, but I would ask you one question. Is it not a definite matter of urgent public importance when so many of our unfortunate fellow-subjects are being massacred?

Mr. Speaker

We do not know the facts. It is possible that the casualties may be very much smaller than were at first suggested.