HC Deb 31 March 1930 vol 237 c867
8. Mr. SORENSEN

asked the Secretary of State for India the estimated number of Nestorian Christians in India; and whether they have made any direct or indirect representations to him concerning the future Government of India?

Mr. BENN

The Census Report of 1921 shows the number as 97. I have received no representations from them.

Mr. SORENSEN

Did the right hon. Gentleman say that the answer is 97?

Mr. BENN

That is so.

Mr. SORENSEN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the number is nearer three-quarters of a million?

Mr. BENN

Perhaps my hon. Friend and I are at cross purposes about the definition. If he is speaking about Nestorian Christians the number is given by the census as 97. If he is speaking about Jacobites or Romo-Syrians the numbers are much larger.