HC Deb 28 June 1921 vol 143 cc1960-1
5. Mr. A. SHAW

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give the House any information regarding the recent disturbances in Bengal and Assam?

Mr. MONTAGU

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday to a question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Melton.

Mr. A. SHAW

Is there any further information as to the situation since that communiqué was dispatched?

Mr. MONTAGU

I do not think so. My recollection is that I received the communiqué only a few days ago.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Are any arrangements being made to facilitate the return of these coolies to their homes, or is it being left to chance?

Mr. MONTAGU

My 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 WEDGWOOD

Are we to understand that the Government of India are to leave these people to die of cholera and starvation on the roadside?

Mr. MONTAGU

Every 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 KENWORTHY

What about the Government itself?

Sir J. D. REES

Would 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. MONTAGU

If 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.

Back to