§ Mr. SPOOR(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to an inter- 2241 view alleged to have been given by General Dyer to a Press representative, in which the statement is made that General Dyer has been requested to resign his appointment; whether this statement is correct, and, if so, whether this action on the part of the Government is consequent upon their consideration of the Hunter Committee s Report?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)I am informed that the Commander-in-Chief directed General Dyer to resign his appointment as Brigade Commander in India. The whole matter is now engaging the consideration of His Majesty's Government. I hope that full documents will be available to Parliament within the next fortnight, and I hope hon. Members will be content to delay discussion until they have full information.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIf General Dyer is allowed to resign his commission, does that mean he will not be court-martialled for these massacres?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThis is a very serious question and Very difficult to discuss by way of question and answer when, unfortunately, no papers are before the House. I am prepared to answer all these questions when the time comes for the Debate, and I hope that the House, which has been so patient so long, will wait the few remaining days in order to get full information.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODCan we be assured that the question will not be prejudged by General Dyer being allowed to resign?
§ Mr. LAMBERTWill the papers circulated include Lord Hunter's Report on the subject?
§ Mr. MONTAGUYes, certainly; the papers I propose to lay are Lord Hunter's Report, the evidence taken before the Hunter Committee, and the resolution of the Government of India on the subject.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill they include all the evidence that was given, or will Sir M. O. Dwyer's evidence be omitted?
§ Mr. MONTAGUMy hon. and gallant Friend knows that certain evidence was taken in camera for public reasons, and it is not proposed to publish any evidence which the Committee thought ought to be heard in private.