§ 7. Mr. FREEMANasked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the editor of the "Bombay Chronicle" and the editor of the "Free Press Journal of India" were arrested on 24th November; what was the reason for the arrest of these gentlemen; whether the editors of other journals in India have also been arrested; and whether he will state under which of the viceregal ordinances the arrests were made?
§ Mr. BENNThis action was not taken under any ordinance but under the Act of 1908 which forbids assistance to un-
§ tive in Bombay. I am circulating a statistical table showing the falling-off in British exports both to India and to all destinations. The figures for the September quarter show a decline of 43.6 per cent. in British exports to India in comparison with 1929, and a decline of 25.8 per cent. in British exports to all destinations.
§ Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOXWill the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with the Government of Bombay to induce them to protect the liberty of Indian subjects by putting down the boycott?
§ Following is the table:
§ lawful associations—in this case the Bombay War Council.
§ Mr. FREEMANWas the crime of which these gentlemen were guilty only that of circulating ordinary news about the National Congress, and, if so, is it necessary to prevent the ordinary dissemination of news in the Press in India at present?
§ Mr. BENNThe case was tried in court under an Act of Parliament and beyond that I can say nothing.
§ Mr. BROCKWAYIn view of the fact that the Press Ordinance has been allowed to lapse, will the right hon. 1767 Gentleman use his influence to see that other means are not taken to get the same results?
§ Mr. BENNThe lapsing of the Press Ordinance will not interfere at all with the ordinary law. It means that you come back on to the ordinary law.