§ 7. Mr. SAKLATVALAasked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he is aware of the recent stoppage in Lucknow by the local police of a peaceful procession of people desiring to demonstrate their protest against the appointment and arrival of the Simon Commission; and will he give to the House any information on the subject of injuries caused by the nonce to Mr. Jahwarlal Nehru and other prominent citizens of Lucknow?
§ Earl WINTERTONI have no other information than that which has appeared in the Press. From this I gather that the police have twice found it necessary to disperse crowds of demonstrators at Lucknow—once on 28th November, before the arrival of the Commission, and again on the 30th, at the time of the arrival. It is also reported that in the course of these proceedings certain organisers of the demonstration—including Mr. Nehru—and some of the police received some injuries. As to the nature of these I have as yet no information.
§ Mr. SAKLATVALAWill the Noble Lord riot be able to obtain information for the benefit of the House?
§ Earl WINTERTONMy Noble Friend, no doubt, in due course will receive information, but the facts are perfectly clear. This procession was prohibited, as is done in certain circumstances in this country and in every other civilised country, in order to prevent a breach of 819 the peace. Notwithstanding this prohibition, certain misguided people, including Mr. Jahwarlal Nehru, determined, in defiance of the police orders, to carry out the procession. They were prevented from doing so, but only sufficient force was used to see that the orders that had been given by the police authorities, in the same way as they are frequently given in this country, were carried out.