§ 16. Mr. BROCKWAYasked the Secretary of State for India whether he has yet received a report of the committee of inquiry into the disturbances at Peshawar?
§ Mr. BROCKWAYCan the right hon. Gentleman say when he expects this report, and whether he proposes to issue it as a White Paper?
§ Mr. BENNI cannot say when it will be received. The question of publication will need to be carefully considered.
§ Mr. BROCKWAYMay I ask whether the evidence given before the inquiry does not suggest that the official communique grossly or gravely under-estimated——
§ 18. Mr. BROCKWAYasked the Secretary of State for India whether the court-martial sentences have yet been promulgated upon the Indian soldiers who declined to obey orders to shoot at Peshawar; and, if so, what the sentences are?
§ Mr. BENNI would point out that these soldiers were tried for refusing to obey orders to proceed from their lines to the city. The sentences have been confirmed by the General Officer Commanding in Chief, Northern Command, and have been duly promulgated. One man was sentenced to transportation for life, one to transportation for 15 years, and sentences were passed on 15 others ranging from 10 years transportation to three years rigorous imprisonment.
§ Mr. BROCKWAYDoes not the right hon. Gentleman regard such sentences——
§ Mr. W. J. BROWNOn a point of Order. May I ask in what way my hon. Friend's supplementary question is out of order.
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt is out of order to ask a Minister for his opinion. He can be asked for a statement of facts.
§ Mr. BROWNMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman proposes to leave unreviewed these vindictive sentences—
§ Mr. SPEAKERI cannot allow adjectives of that sort.
§ Mr. BROWNMay I withdraw the adjective and ask whether the right hon. Gentleman proposes to leave unreviewed these sentences upon Indian soldiers whose sole crime is that they refused to proceed against their own fellow countrymen?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a matter of military discipline.