HC Deb 23 May 1927 vol 206 cc1629-30
9. Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he will make an inquiry as to whether the medical examination by four doctors which led to the decision of the Governor-General to order Mr. Bose's release resulted in a formal report; and, if so, whether he will lay the report upon the Table of the House?

Earl WINTERTON

As I informed the hon. Member on Thursday last, I have not as yet any information on the first point. And even if a formal report has been made, it is obviously a confidential document, and I am not prepared to lay it on the Table of this House.

Mr. LANSBURY

Does the Noble Lord not think that it would be in the interests of public order in India that the people of India should be officially acquainted with the condition of Mr. Bose's health at the time of his release?

Mr. HANNON

May I ask whether it would not be in the interests of public order if a great many of these questions were kept off the Order Paper.

Earl WINTERTON

I am afraid I do not follow the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury). As far as I know there is no precedent for publishing the report of a medical examination, the result of which has been to allow a person to be released. I do not think the public interest would be served in any way by publishing what is obviously a confidential report.

Mr. LANSBURY

Is it not the fact that this man has been in prison for 13 months, and that very circumstantial reports have been published as to the dangerous condition of his health; and is not the public in India and in this country entitled to ask what this man's health was when the Government of India ordered his release?

Earl WINTERTON

No, Sir. I do not think they are entitled to inquire in the least. The Government of India, in the exercise of their executive duties, decided that the state of his health was such that he should be released. There, I think, the matter should rest.

12. Mr. THURTLE

asked the Under Secretary of State for India the reasons which induced the Government to change its policy in regard to the detention of Mr. Subhas Bose, one of the Bengal political prisoners recently released?

Earl WINTERTON

Mr. Bose was released on grounds of health.

Mr. THURTLE

Is the Noble Lord aware that some time ago he said it would be inexpedient in the interests of public safety to release Mr. Bose, and can he say what change of circumstances has resulted in it being expedient now?

Earl WINTERTON

His health.

Mr. THURTLE

Has his health been the only circumstance that has entered into the consideration of the matter?

Earl WINTERTON

Yes, Sir. The sole circumstance that caused the Government of India and my Noble Friend the Secretary of state to take the action they did was the state of Mr. Bose's health.