§ 12. Sir J. D. REESasked whether the Secretary of State has considered the judgment of the Chief Justice of Bengal in the Macedonia pamphlet case; and whether the Government of India proposes to amend the provisions of the Indian Press Act, 1910?
§ Mr. C. ROBERTSThe answer to the first part of the question is "Yes''; to the second part, "No."
§ 13. Mr. MORRELLasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction that has been aroused by the proceedings taken under the Indian Press Act, 1910, under which over twenty newspapers and nearly 800 other publications have been suppressed; whether the right of appeal to the civil courts, which was introduced to prevent any abuse of this law by the executive authority, has been shown in practice to be practically worthless, and that in the opinion of the Chief Justice of Bengal the task imposed upon an applicant to the courts, who must show that his pamphlet does not contain words which fall within the all-comprehensive provisions of the Act, is an almost hopeless task; and whether the Secretary of State will consider the desirability of recommending such an alteration of the law as, while leaving to the Government all necessary power to deal with incitements to sedition and disorder, would provide some effective safeguard of the independence of the Press?
§ Mr. C. ROBERTSThe hon. Member is, I think, extending to all action taken under the Act certain remarks which the Chief Justice of Bengal made with regard to action taken under Section 12. The Secretary of State, after careful consideration of the recent debate in the Governor-General's Legislative Council, holds that the powers of appeal provided in the Act may suffice to supply a remedy against arbitrary administration.
§ Mr. MORRELLIs my hon. Friend aware that at the Moslem Congress recently held the president, in his presidential address, said that the effect of the Act was to prevent even well-established Indian newspapers of long standing expressing their views, and will he reconsider his attitude with regard to an amendment of the Act?
§ Mr. C. ROBERTSI will convey the information to the Secretary of State.