HC Deb 01 March 1910 vol 14 cc725-6
Mr. KEIR HARDIE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention had been drawn to the prosecution for sedition of one Lal Chand, of Lahore, by order of the Punjab Government, for publishing a Hindustani translation of two chapters of Professor Seely's "Expansion of England," and of Mr. William Jennings Bryan's article on British Rule in India, which was originally published in the "New York Sun" in 1906; and whether His Majesty's Government proposed to take any action in the matter?

Mr. MONTAGU

Lai Chand has been prosecuted by the Government of the Punjab for publishing (in conjunction with Kishen Singh, referred to in the answer given on the 24th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme) nine different pamphlets alleged to be of a seditious character. The Secretary of State has no details as to the actual contents of the publications. His Majesty's Government propose to leave the matter to the decision of the Courts of law.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

Have steps been taken to advise those who may be affected as to what is the standard of historic works that are considered seditious by the Indian Government?

Mr. MONTAGU

These questions are being decided in a court of law. The report will be forthcoming in the ordinary way.