HC Deb 21 May 1912 vol 38 cc1729-30
Sir J. D. REES

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Secretary of State's attention has been called to the protest made by the Calcutta Journalists' Association against the speech made by Lord Crewe in the House of Lords on 21st February, 1912; and what are the grounds on which Lord Crewe charged the Anglo-Indian press in Calcutta with conduct rendering them obnoxious to the provisions of the Press Act?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In regard to the second part of the question I would point out that the hon. Member has apparently altogether misunderstood what my noble Friend said.

Sir J. D. REES

Was not the Noble Lord's intention misunderstood by the Anglo-Indian Press as it has apparently been by myself?

Mr. MONTAGU

I think I had better send the hon. Member a copy of the OFFICIAL REPORT of the House of Lords, which contains a copy of my Noble Friend's speech.

Sir J. D. REES

Will anything be done for the satisfaction of those who feel themselves, rightly or wrongly, aggrieved by this speech?

Mr. MONTAGU

If there is anybody who believes the same as the hon. Member about my Noble Friend's speech he will see, on reading the report, that he is quite misinformed. He never charged the Anglo-Indian Press in Calcutta with conduct rendering them obnoxious to the provisions of the Press Act.

Sir J. D. REES

Is it not within the knowledge of the hon. Gentleman that the Press of Calcutta interpreted it in that way, and made a protest which has been adopted by the Press Association of England?

Mr. MONTAGU

If the hon. Gentleman will read the protest we received from the Calcutta Journalists' Association, and will also read the report of my Noble Friend's speech in another place, he will see that the two parts of the question have no relation to one another.

Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

Will the hon. Gentleman use his influence with the hon. Member opposite to induce him to refrain from stirring up agitation against the Government in India?

Mr. MONTAGU

I think the hon. Member has as much influence with the hon. Gentleman as I have.