§ 4. Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOXasked the Secretary of State for India if his attention has been drawn to the fact 577 that the rioting at Cawnpore was brought about by the attempt of a Congress leader to force citizens to close their shops in protest against the execution of three murderers; and whether he will impress upon the Government of India the necessity for measures to protect loyal minorities?
§ Mr. BENNI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given to the Noble Lord the Member for Horsham. (Earl Winterton) on 30th March. As regards the second part of the question, the authorities in India are well aware of their responsibility for the preservation of law and order.
§ Sir A. KNOXIs it not a fact that, if martial law had been proclaimed at Cawnpore, a large part of the massacre might have been prevented?
§ Mr. BENNAn inquiry is in process of being held. Perhaps we had better await the report of the inquiry before drawing conclusions.
§ Brigadier-General Sir HENRY CROFTHave the full facts in regard to the matter been made public, and, if not, will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House at the earliest moment?
§ Mr. BENNThe hon. and gallant Gentleman does not seem to be aware that a public inquiry is being held.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNECan the right hon. Gentleman give any idea when we are likely to receive the report?
§ Mr. BENNNo, but as soon as it is available, naturally I shall wish to put it at the service of hon. Members.
13. Earl WINTERTONasked the Secretary of State for India if the total casualties in the Cawnpore communal riots have now been ascertained; whether the whole of those casualties were caused by rival mobs and individuals, or whether any were the result of action on the part of the police and military; and whether it is proposed to prosecute those alleged to be responsible for the initial outbreak?
§ Mr. BENNAs regards the first part of the question, I would refer the Noble Lord to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Remer) on 16th April. The answers to the remaining parts of the question will 578 emerge as the result of the Commission of Inquiry, the report of which I would ask the Noble Lord to await.
Earl WINTERTONIn view of the probability that this question will be debated before long, will the right hon. Gentleman obtain from the Government of India, quite apart from the report of the committee, a full account of the occurrences?
§ Mr. BENNI should hardly imagine that the House would wish to debate the subject till the report of the inquiry has been received.
Earl WINTERTONDoes the right hon. Gentleman suggest that, when terrible massacre of this kind has taken place, the Government of India should not make itself fully acquainted with the facts?
§ Mr. BENNI have supplied the House, as I always will, with all the facts in my possession. I suggest that it would be wiser before we have a Debate to hear the result of the inquiry which is already afoot.