§ Lord GRIDLEYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have made representations to the Government of India on the reported seizure over the past two months by that Government, of a number of issues of The Times newspaper.
§ Baroness LLEWELYN-DAVIES of HASTOEMy Lords, the Indian Government are fully aware of our views about the measures taken under the State of Emergency and of the importance we attach to the principle of the free exchange of news and information. We much regret that British newspapers and periodicals should apparently be subject to censorship. No official representations have been made.
§ Lord GRIDLEYMy Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that, so far as one can see from having read these issues, nothing was published in them to which any Government, least of all the Indian Government, could possibly have taken exception? Although the noble Baroness has given an assurance that the Indian Government fully understand our feelings or our position in this matter, would she be prepared to say that we value our association in the Commonwealth with that country and of course the preservation of free publication and free speech?
§ Baroness LLEWELYN-DAVIES of HASTOEYes, my Lords. In fact the British Press itself has not made any representations to Her Majesty's Government, but of course we are aware that British periodicals, for whatever reason, have been intercepted. I should very much like to echo what the noble Lord has said. I know his feelings about this area of the world. I think that India has always held a very special place in the minds and indeed the hearts of the British people, and it is therefore of very special concern to us that this situation should exist there.
§ Lord HAILSHAM of SAINT MARY-LEBONEMy Lords, has the noble Baroness any information as to what particular items in The Times newspaper were so inflammatory as to excite the anger of the Indian censors?
§ Baroness LLEWELYN-DAVIES of HASTOENo, my Lords, and, so far as I know, the noble and learned Lord has not written there recently.
§ Lord SHINWELLMy Lords, can my noble friend explain why no official representations have been made? Is she aware that it was a Labour Government who, against great opposition and probably in the opinion of many mistakenly, provided self-government for India? Surely having done so there is a responsebility, and they would expect at least freedom for the Press and freedom for every citizen in India? Why have there not been official representations?
§ Baroness LLEWELYN-DAVIES of HASTOEMy Lords, on this side of the House we are very proud of our record in the Indian Continent. I am quite sure that my noble friend will understand that the Indian Government are very fully aware of our views about this matter. But we have discovered that in many countries in all parts of the world the British Press is frequently interfered with, and, in our experience, to make official representations really serves very little purpose.