HC Deb 12 May 1930 vol 238 c1421
7. Sir A. KNOX

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will cause an inquiry to be held into recent events at Peshawar, where from Wednesday, 23rd April, till Sunday, 4th May, an organisation hostile to the Government appears to have been left in undisturbed control of the city?

Mr. BENN

No, Sir. Apart from the fact announced in the Government of India's communique that the Chief Commissioner has already ordered an inquiry, I see no necessity to supersede the Government of India and the local Government in this matter.

Sir A. KNOX

Can the right hon. Gentleman state the reason why, for a period of about 12 days, there was apparently no strong action taken against the Congress Committee at Peshawar, in view of the fact that with the dangerous proximity of the frontier this incident might have set the whole frontier alight?

Mr. BENN

I think the hon. and gallant Member is speaking without full knowledge of the facts.