§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEasked the Undersecretary for India whether he would grant the Return asked for on the Order Paper this day in the name of the Member for Merthyr Tydfil?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe Act has been in operation for so short a time that the Secretary of State does not think it desirable as yet to instruct the Government of India to prepare a Return. I would refer my hon. Friend to the promise that I made to the hon. Member for Leicester on 28th June, that reports, when forthcoming, will be laid before the House.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEasked the Undersecretary of State for India whether he could state the circumstances under which the "Sind Gazette," an old established Anglo-Indian paper published at Karachi, was required to deposit 1,000 rupees as security under the provisions of the new Press Act; and whether the proprietors or editor had ever been charged or prosecuted for the publication of any seditious matter or any matter calculated to disturb the peace or inflame the native mind against the Government?
§ Mr. MONTAGUAs regards the first part of the question, the "Sind Gazette" became liable to furnish security under the Act of 1910, because it had omitted to register under the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the negative.