§ 5. Mr. A. SHAWasked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give the House any information regarding the recent disturbances in Bengal and Assam?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday to a question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Melton.
§ Mr. A. SHAWIs there any further information as to the situation since that communiqué was dispatched?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI do not think so. My recollection is that I received the communiqué only a few days ago.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre any arrangements being made to facilitate the return of these coolies to their homes, or is it being left to chance?
§ Mr. MONTAGUMy recollection is that the Government have not felt it their duty to give free passages to the coolies. I will send a copy of the communiqué to my hon. and gallant Friend.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre we to understand that the Government of India are to leave these people to die of cholera and starvation on the roadside?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEvery conceivable step has been taken to safeguard the interests of these poor deluded coolies; but it would obviously be an unwise step to establish the precedent that when a coolie breaks his contract and leaves his work owing to gross misrepresentation of the state of affairs the liability should be put upon the Government of India.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWhat about the Government itself?
Sir J. D. REESWould it not be more useful to facilitate their return to their work rather than to their homes? Is any provision for that made by the Government?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIf my hon. Friend reads the communiqué of the Government of Bengal he will see that the Government have acted with great humanity, and have done everything possible in the circumstances. If, after reading the communiqué, my hon. Friend desires to put any other questions, I should be only too happy to answer them.