§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNE(by Private Notice) asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will give the House the latest information available regarding the further outbreak of rioting in Calcutta, and state the number of killed and injured as a result thereof?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe latest official report is that on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday there are known to have occurred 19 deaths and 87 cases of injury in the riots which took place on those days. They were caused mainly by sporadic attacks on individuals, but on Saturday there were attacks by the mob. It was necessary for the police to use firearms on all three days. In the disturbed area business is suspended, hut there has been no incendiarism and not much looting. On Saturday armoured cars were called out. Steps have been taken to reinforce the police and to quarter additional police at the cost of the area disturbed. It is anticipated that the special measures taken will provide sufficient reserves, and the situation is in hand. But the isolated murders, committed by hooligans of the two communities, and the strength of communal feeling have produced a difficult position.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEI am much obliged, as I am sure we all are, for that answer, but may I ask whether, apart from the armoured cars—I do not know whether they are run by military or volunteers—there are troops in readiness in the neighbourhood sufficient, if necessary, to supplement the police force to deal with anything the Government suspect may arise?
§ Earl WINTERTONYes; the Government of India have informed my Noble Friend that in their belief all necessary reserves are available. I ought to say 1635 there is no reason to fear that it will be necessary to call them into operation. The police and other forces on the spot are sufficient to deal with the situation at the moment.
§ Major CRAWFURDAre any of the killed or injured members of the police or military forces?
§ Earl WINTERTONIn order to answer that question it is necessary to give the casualties caused by the police; I believe they are very small indeed—only some three or four. Of the casualties caused to the police, I have no exact details at the moment, but I am sorry to say that at least one policeman has been killed and some injured.
§ Mr. PILCHERHave any of the auxiliary forces in Calcutta been mobilised, and is the Noble Lord aware how completely effective the mobilisation of that force was on four or five similar occasions during Lord Ronaldshay's governorship?
§ Earl WINTERTONI do not know whether it has been mobilised in the technical sense, but units of the auxiliary force were used on the earlier occasion during the rioting, and they are available if need arises again.
Mr. FILCHERMay I ask whether the Goondas Act has been put into operation, which is an Act for the summary expulsion of known bad or dangerous characters, and which has been used in the past in dealing with cases of this kind?
§ Earl WINTERTONI must ask for notice of that question.