§ 27. Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOXasked the Secretary of State for India what steps are being taken by the Government of India to prevent such outbreaks as have occurred at Cawnpore and Benares and to protect law-abiding Indian citizens?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Wedgwood Benn)The preservation of order is primarily a matter for the local authorities, who, when they have reason to fear an outbreak, take such special precautions as may be necessary. I have been informed that the local Government have appointed a committee of inquiry to report on the Cawnpore riots and the adequacy of the measures taken.
§ Sir A. KNOXDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that if the troops had been allowed to fire sooner this massacre—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a matter of opinion.
§ Mr. BENNOn a question of fact, I should like to take this opportunity of correcting the figure given by the hon. and gallant Gentleman. The ascertained deaths are 290—severe enough, but not the figure named by the hon. and gallant Gentleman.
§ Sir A. KNOXIs it not true that a very large number of bodies were thrown away and concealed in drains?