§ 17. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for India whether he has now obtained any evidence as to the activities of the Third Communist International in India in fomenting unrest and disaffection not only in the towns but in the villages?
§ 22. Major the Marquess of TITCHFIELDasked the Secretary of State for India whether there is any evidence that the recent disturbances in India were fomented by Soviet activities?
§ Sir W. DAVISONWhy is the India Office alone unaware of the fact that Communist agents are going about through India fomenting unrest, as is known to Indians in this country as well as to Indians in India?
§ Mr. BENNThe hon. Gentleman asked me for information officially in my possession, which I have given. Beyond that I cannot go.
Marquess of TITCHFIELDIs it not the fact that the emblem of the sickle and hammer has been seen many times in India during the late disturbances?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODArising out of the reply to question No. 17, in which it is 14 suggested that the unrest is due to Communistic propaganda, is it not the case that the unrest in India is due to the fact that we, the British, have bled India white for a century and a half? [Interruption.]
§ Mr. SPEAKERMr. Marley.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODMy point is this, that the statement I have made is the statement of the Leader of this party. [Interruption.]
§ Mr. SPEAKERThese questions only ask about one definite point, namely, whether there is any evidence. That has been replied to, and the other point does not arise.
§ Mr. BECKETTOn a point of Order. May I point out to you, Sir, that my hon. Friend was proceeding, amid grave disorder, to put a supplementary question while you were seated and not checking him, and therefore it was quite impossible to hear whether the point of his question was relevant or not?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI have heard it now, and it is not.