4. Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for India if all the newspapers owned or edited by Nationalists in India have had their securities forfeited or in creased or been demanded securities or proceeded against in other ways?
§ Mr. MONTAGUNo, Sir, certainly not.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs it not a fact that the "Amritsa Bazar Patrika," the "Hindoo," the "New India," the "Independent," and the "Bombay Chronicle" have all lost their securities, and how much has been taken from these newspapers on account of their attitude?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIf my hon. and gallant Friend wants the figures, perhaps he will give me notice. The newspapers to which he refers were proceeded against under the terms of the Press Act.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODHave not all these newspapers lost their deposits in consequence?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI cannot charge myself with remembering the particulars of each case, but I think my hon. and gallant Friend is accurate in saying that they have all suffered under the Press Act.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs it not a fact that practically all the Nationalist newspapers in India have been so treated?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIf a large number of Nationalist newspapers in India have offended under the Press Act, then they 1271 have been proceeded against. It was not because they were Nationalist newspapers, but because they offended against the provisions of the Press Act.
Mr. MACLEANIs it not a fact that the Press Act only affects the Nationalist newspapers?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI shall be happy to send my hon. Friend a copy of the Act, and he will see that it applies indiscriminately to all newspapers.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODHow long will the Press Act be continued after India gets Home Rule?
5. Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for India whether he will lay upon the Table a Return of the number of newspapers and presses that have been proceeded against in India under the Press Act and/or the Defence of India Act since the beginning of this year?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI will ask the Government of India to supplement the information for which the hon. Member for West Edinburgh (Mr. Jameson) asked on the 22nd July by a Return giving these particulars.