§ 1. Colonel YATEasked the Secretary of State for India whether, considering that the Government of India in the official exposition of their policy of tolerance of agitation in India, published in the Press of the 6th instant, state that the appeal to the illiterate has already resulted in one deplorable crime, and that the reckless activity of the leaders of agitation who wander from city to city stirring up excitement among the masses by inflammatory speeches and by the reiteration of false statements, despite constant contradiction, may at any time result in serious outbreaks of disorder, he will now 402 suggest to the Government of India the advisability of putting an immediate stop to the policy of non-intervention pursued by them towards the appeals to ignorance and fanaticism hitherto made by Mr. Ghandi and his confederates without restraint; and if he can state what steps are now to be taken to protect the Indian community at large from incitements to disaffection and rebellion?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)I have nothing to add to the replies which I gave in the House last Wednesday on the same matter.
§ Colonel YATEWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my question—What steps have been taken to protect the Indian community from incitement to disaffection and rebellion?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman will refer to the answer I gave last week, I recited a list of steps which have been taken. I believe the number of prosecutions now is 16.
§ Mr. R. GWYNNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that last week he did not make any statement as to what has been done to restrain Mr. Ghandi?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI did last week state that, as far as I was aware, the only restraint of Mr. Ghandi was the Seditious Meetings Act.
§ Mr. GWYNNEDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider that sufficient to restrain him, and, in view of the continued sedition which Mr. Ghandi is preaching, will he ask for a special Report on the subject?
§ Mr. MONTAGUAs I stated last week, I do not propose to interfere with the discretion of the Government of India. We are all agreed as to the danger and the mischief of Mr. Ghandi's campaign, but the matter of enforcing order in India is a matter for the local Government and the Government of India. I really must decline to dictate from here what steps are to be taken.
§ Mr. GWYNNEWill the right hon. Gentleman ask for a special Report on the subject? He has asked for special Reports on other subjects.
§ Mr. MONTAGUI have already asked for a Report, and I have given the House the information I have received, namely, the resolution of the Government of India and an account of the number of prosecutions.
§ Mr. GWYNNEIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with those steps?