§ 4. Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the offer made by the Government of Bengal to allow Mr. Subhas Bose to go to Switzerland is subject to any and, if so, to what conditions; and whether such conditions have been accepted by Mr. Bose?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe offer of releasing Mr. Bose made by the Government of Bengal is subject to the conditions that he will give his word of honour to proceed from Rangoon to Europe by a ship which does not touch at any port in India, and that he will thereafter not attempt to enter India, Burma or Ceylon until the Bengal Criminal Law (Amendment) Act has expired. My Noble Friend, who is in communication with the Government of India on the subject, has not yet heard whether the offer has been accepted by Mr. Bose. This offer has been made consequent on medical advice that Mr. Bose should take a sea voyage and make a prolonged stay in a sanatorium in Switzerland.
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEBy the phrase "until the Bengal Criminal Law (Amendment) Act has expired," does the Government of India mean until the date when it would normally expire, or until the time when it will be brought to an end if it should be extended?
§ Earl WINTERTONI do not quite know what the hon. Member means by his Supplementary Question. My answer was quite plain. This undertaking is not to enter India until the Bengal Criminal Law (Amendment) Act has expired, that is, has come to an end.
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEDoes that mean until the present law comes to an end, or until it finally comes to an end if it should be extended?
§ Earl WINTERTONObviously, it means when it comes to an end.