HC Deb 10 February 1930 vol 235 cc6-7
10. Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOX

asked the Secretary of State for India whether there has been any cessation in India of Communist propaganda by agents of the Third International and associated bodies since the resumption of diplomatic relations with the Soviet Government of Russia?

12. Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is satisfied that the activities of the Third International in India have now ceased?

Mr. BENN

No breach of the undertaking as regards propaganda has been reported to me by the Government of India.

Sir W. DAVISON

Has the right hon. Gentleman made any inquiries as to the statements in the Press regarding the activities of the Third International in India?

Mr. BENN

If the hon. Gentleman has any information of this kind, no doubt he will, as in duty bound, bring it to the notice of the authorities.

Commander BELLAIRS

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the observations of Mr. Milner White, the magistrate who tried the case recently?

Mr. BENN

The hon. and gallant Gentleman must not ask me to enter into a trial which is at present proceeding.

11. Commander BELLAIRS

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that British-Indian subjects have been and are being trained in revolutionary Communist propaganda at Tashkent, in Turkistan; and whether he will give the House particulars in regard to the subsequent activities of these students in India?

Mr. BENN

I am aware that, among the persons convicted in the Peshawar Conspiracy Case of 1923, and in the Cawnpore Conspiracy Case of 1924, there were eight who were proved to have been trained at Tashkent. I have no further information as to the activities of persons trained in this school.