HC Deb 21 May 1928 vol 217 cc1485-6
1. Mr. DAY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has now received a Report regarding the firing on the railway strikers in Calcutta on 28th March, last; and will he give the House the particulars?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Earl Winterton)

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury) on 17th May. My Noble Friend has received only the briefest summary of the contents of the Report and, in view of the misunderstandings that have already been caused by partial publications in this case, he considers it inadvisable to make any further statement until the full Report has been received, together with the views of the Government of Bengal and the Government of India. The hon. Member has probably seen the communiqué issued by the Government of Bengal in which they say that endeavour will be made to collect as early as possible the materials required for a proper decision in these cases but that this will necessarily take some time.

Mr. THURTLE

When does the Noble Lord expect to receive these Reports?

Earl WINTERTON

I cannot even give an approximate date. They will be received as soon as the two Governments concerned have given them consideration.

Mr. SAKLATVALA

Considering the very grave importance of this question, and that it is about two months since we first asked the question, would it be possible for the Noble Lord, apart from the views of the Government, to obtain and publish the exact wording of the magistrate's judgment?

Earl WINTERTON

No. For the reason I have already stated in reply to questions, it would be wrong to make any comment on what has occurred until the Report has been considered by these two Governments and my Noble Friend. I must ask hon. Members to exercise the same discretion in the matter as they would in the case of a matter occurring in this country which is sub judice.

Mr. W. THORNE

Is there any machinery to settle disputes, as in this country?

Earl WINTERTON

That is a very wide question which really does not arise out of this question. I answered a question on that point last week.

Back to