§ 1. Colonel Sir CHARLES YATEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has received any information as to the proceedings at the meeting of the Third International at Moscow; and if he can state what steps will be taken to counteract the methods employed by the British Communist party of working through the Indian students at the English universities and of sending out to India expert propagandists in the guise of British workers going out there to various ports, and of conducting an extensive and active anti-militarist propaganda among the British and native troops in India?
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYBefore this question is answered, Mr. Speaker, may I ask you whether it is in order for an hon. and gallant Member to make a statement under the guise of putting a question to the Minister, as in this particular case?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI presume that the hon. and gallant Gentleman has satisfied himself as to the foundation of his question.
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Earl Winterton)Accounts of certain proceedings at the meeting in question have been published. With regard to the second portion of the question, I would assure my hon. and gallant Friend that if any reliable information of the nature suggested is received, suitable action will be taken. But he will, I am sure, not expect me to advertise the exact steps that might in this event be adopted.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYHave His Majesty's Government any objection to anti-militarist propaganda?
§ Earl WINTERTONCertainly among the troops. It is one of the first principles of government to prevent such propaganda.