PUBLICATIONS (PROHIBITED ENTRY).

HC Deb 02 March 1925 vol 181 cc3-4

5. Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he is aware that the following publications, Hyndman's "The Awakening of Asia," Bryan's "British Rule in India, "M. N. Roy's" Evolution of Economic Organisation of India," Lala Lajpat Rai's "England's Debt to India," and "Labour Monthly Magazine," have been prohibited entry into India tinder the Sea Customs Act: and will he state the reason for such prohibition?

Earl WINTERTON

The entry into India of the first four of the publications mentioned is prohibited by notifications under the Sea Customs Act. The reason in the case of three of them was that the publications contained false and malicious misrepresentations of the British administration in India. Roy's hook was prescribed because all his writings and those of his wife are prohibited, in view of their complicity in a. foreign organised conspiracy to overthrow British rule in India. I have no definite information regarding the fifth of the publications mentioned; but it occasionally contains articles by these persons and this would, no doubt, bring the particular issue within the general bar against those writings.

Mr. LANSBURY

May I ask the Noble Lord whether he has read the books himself?

Earl WINTERTON

No, Sir. I am prepared to leave the matter to the Government of India, who are the proper authority to deal with it.

Mr. LANSBURY

That may very well be, but surely this House has something to say. I should like to ask the Noble Lord whether this House has not something to say on the question of whether hooks written by a British subject like the late Mr. H. M. Hyndman should he prohibited from going into India at the present time?

Earl WINTERTON

It is open to the hon. Member, if he gets an opportunity to do so, to move a Vote of Censure OD the Government.

Mr. LANSBURY

I do not want to do that until you have read them.

Mr. THURTLE

Is the Noble Lord aware that all these books may be purchased in this country?

Earl WINTERTON

Yes, Sir; but the conditions in this country and those in India vary very greatly.