HC Deb 22 March 1922 vol 152 cc465-6
58. Sir C. YATE

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Mr. C. F. Andrews, one of the pro-Indian agitators in East Africa, is reported to have been recently consulting Mr. Gandhi and obtaining his advice upon the East African situation; whether he will give instructions that methods of agitation of this nature shall not be permitted in East Africa; and whether he will refuse permission to land to those persons trying to introduce them?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I have received no information of communications between the Reverend C. F. Andrews and Mr. Gandhi of the kind referred to by the hon. Baronet. If he can furnish me with evidence of the organisation of agitation in East Africa by persons outside I shall give careful consideration to it.

Sir C. YATE

Is it the case that our difficulties in East Africa are caused by the Gandhi agitation in India?

Mr. CHURCHILL

No, but I suppose they have been accentuated by it.

Sir C. YATE

Will the agitators be treated there the same as Gandhi has been treated in India?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I think the authorities on the spot have taken the necessary action.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to compare the Indian agitation for equal rights in Kenya with the agitation of the non-co-operative movement in India?

Mr. CHURCHILL

There would certainly be no excuse for the hon. and gallant Gentleman understanding me to do that. Nothing in the words which have fallen from my lips justifies that. It is a total misapprehension of the facts.