§ 2. Captain ORMSBY-GOREasked the Secretary of State for India whether he has received, and is continuing to receive, representations from various quarters in India regarding the Rowlatt legislation; and whether he can take any steps to allay the uneasiness evidenced by such representations?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI have received a large number of communications from India on the subject of the Rowlatt legislation, and I would take this opportunity of making it clear that I have given them my best consideration from the point of view referred to in the last part of the question. I believe that the powers given to the Executive by the Rowlatt legislation are necessary at the present time, and that there are no reasonable grounds for the apprehensions felt in India. The Act itself is valid for a period of three years only, after which the whole position will be considered. If the anarchical and revolutionary actions against which the Act is framed are abandoned, the Act will not be used, and there will be no necessity for its renewal.