HC Deb 15 July 1920 vol 131 cc2582-3
35. Lieut.-Colonel CROFT

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the fact that the Secretary of State for India was not informed of the details of the occurrences in April, 1919, until December of that year, he proposes to take any steps to censure the Government of India for this failure to keep the Imperial Government informed of the events referred to; and whether he will cause all written messages and telegrams on the subject to be published?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The reasons why full details of occurrences connected with the suppression of the disturbances were not elicited until the Committee appointed to investigate them commenced its inquiry have been repeatedly explained by question and answer in this House. No question of censure arises. The position is clearly stated in paragraph 22 of the Government of India's despatch on the Hunter Report, and their conclusions on this point, amongst others, were accepted by His Majesty's Government. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Lieut.-Colonel CROFT

Is it not the fact that the Secretary of State was not fully informed, and if this is so, is it not imperative that the Indian Government should keep the Secretary of State informed on all details of these serious matters in India?

Mr. BONAR LAW

That is a matter which has been discussed, not only in question and answer, but in Debate, and I have nothing to add to what has been said.

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