§ 15. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that. Mr. Subhas Chandra Bose was appointed chief executive officer of the Corporation of Calcutta in April, 1924, and that his appointment received the sanction of the Governor of Bengal; and whether, seeing that Mr. Bose was interned by order of the Government of Bengal within six months of his appointment and that he has been re-elected to that post, his re-election has received the sanction of the Governor of Bengal, in spite of his internment?
§ Earl WINTERTONI am aware that Mr. Bose was appointed to hold the post in question; that this appointment, like several others made by the Corporation, is subject to the approval of the local Government, and that this approval was given. I understand that the Corporation have regarded Mr. Bose since his internment as being technically on leave with a substitute acting for him and that no question of his re-appointment or of re-approval by the local Government has arisen.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs it not possible to expedite the release of this man, who apparently has the confidence of the Council still?
§ Earl WINTERTONNo, Sir. That does not arise out of this question, and I must point out to the hon. Member that, if a person in prison has the confidence of this or that organisation it is not a reason for a remission of his sentence or for dealing with him in a different way from any other person.
§ Mr. LANSBURYWill the Noble Lord not agree that perhaps the municipal authorities know as much about this man and his actions as tie people who put him in prison and kept him there without trial?