§ 32. Mr. SAKLATVALAasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that an action for sedition is being brought against the Indian Nationalist Committee in Shanghai, and that several Indians have been lately arrested in Shanghai; and whether he will inquire how many Indians are now under arrest and the nature of the offence with which they are charged?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI know nothing of the Indian Nationalist Committee at Shanghai or of proceedings against any such body. Five Indians were arrested in Shanghai in March on a charge of attempting to seduce soldiers in His Majesty's Army from their allegiance; two of them were discharged, 898 and the remaining three were committed and sentenced to 18 months' hard labour followed by deportation, after trial by jury in His Majesty's Supreme Court. One Indian was arrested and committed for trial early in April on a charge of murdering a loyal and distinguished Sikh police officer. Eleven others were arrested on 9th May on a charge of complicity in murder.
§ Mr. SAKLATVALAWhat facilities were given for the proper defence of these Indians who were arrested in Shanghai?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThere is a proper Court at Shanghai where these cases are tried, and the prisoners had every opportunity of having their counsel to defend them.