§ MR. MACKARNESS (Berkshire, Newbury)asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the grave rows coming from India, and in view of the importance of giving encouragement to well-affected subjects of the King in India, he would allow to be made known without delay what measures were to be proposed for reform of government in that country.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. ASQUITH,) Fifeshire, E.My hon. friend may be assured that the statement will be made at the earliest possible moment.
§ MR. MACKARNESSBefore the House rises?
§ MR. ASQUITHOh, yes. Before the House rises for the session.
§ MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydvil)asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he had received any information in regard to the arrests of Aswini Kumar Dutt and Krishna Kumar Mitra; and whether the arrests had been made under the ordinary law, or under the new Act passed the other day.
§ * MR. BUCHANANsaid the two individuals about whom the hon. Gentleman 1569 inquired had been arrested under Regulation 3 of the Act of 1818.
§ MR. MACKARNESSasked whether there had not been nine arrests.
§ * MR. BUCHANANYes, nine in all; but the hon. Member's Question was in reference to two persons.
§ MR. KEIR HARDIEasked if there was any connection between the arrests on the eve of the day when the statement was to be made by the Secretary of State and the statement itself, and if the Government at home were advised that the arrests were to be made.
§ * MR. BUCHANANsaid that there was no connection, and he was sure that nobody deplored more than the Secretary of State that it had been necessary to put the regulation in force at the moment. The Secretary of State was aware of the arrests being made.
§ MR. KEIR HARDIEasked if their were any circumstances that required the regulation to be enforced at the moment, other than had existed for some time.
§ * MR. BUCHANANsaid it was only under great pressure and upon serious representations made by the acting Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal and of Eastern Bengal, and after very careful investigation by the Government of India of the evidence against these individuals, that it was decided to take this particular action.
§ SIR H. COTTON (Nottingham, E.)asked was it a fact that this extra ordinary action—[Cries of "Order."] He was quite in order; it was extraordinary action—out of the common—this extraordinary action, the arrest of these individuals, was taken because there was no evidence to proceed against them in a criminal Court.
§ * MR. SPEAKERThat is not a proper Question to ask.
§ MR. REES (Montgomery Boroughs)asked whether a regulation similar to this existed and was enforced in all the native States in India and whether similar 1570 power existed in respect to the East Africa Protectorate.
§ MR. SPEAKERHon. Members should give notice of Questions that require research.
§ MR. BUCHANANsaid they would be dealt with under the terms of the regulation.
DR. RUTHERFORDIn the circumstances, does the right hon. Gentleman think such action is calculated to allay the unrest in India?
§ SIR H. COTTONasked, had not certain of these gentlemen been proceeded against in a criminal Court and acquitted of the charges brought against them?
§ MR. BUCHANANsaid he could not answer that Question.
§ MR. KEIR HARDIEasked the right hon. Gentleman if he could in general terms say what was the effect of the section referred to.
§ MR. BUCHANANsaid Regulation 3 of the Act of 1818, a copy of which could be seen in the library, empowered the Government to make arrest, if it was considered necessary, for the security of the British dominions from internal commotion, to take such action.
§ MR. SPEAKERhere interposed and said further Questions should not be put without notice.