§ 7. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for India if he will inquire into the charges made against the police in India of flogging villagers for wearing the home-spun or so-called Gandhi cap?
§ Mr. BENNI am in communication with the Government of India regarding these charges, and I am always ready to inquire into any case where definite evidence is produced. At the same time it must be remembered that general and unfounded allegations are frequently made for propaganda purposes. These allegations are aimed at destroying the high morale and strict discipline among the police upon which the avoidance of any abuse of force depends, in the discharge of their difficult and essential duty of maintaining public order.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYI am much obliged to my right hon. Friend. Is he aware that very widely-spread statements have appeared in reputable newspapers both in England and America with reference to this particular matter, and should there not be some authoritative denial of these charges?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Gentleman has had an answer to his question.
§ 11. Mr. FREEMANasked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to a resolution of the Madras legislative council disapproving of police methods in dealing with the civil disobedience movement; and whether he is taking any action in the matter?
§ Mr. BENNI have seen Press reports of two debates on this subject during the last week. As regards the second part of the question I am sending to my hon. Friend the report of a previous discussion in the Council in which the Home Member, Sir Mohamed Usman, dealt with the charges made against the police.
§ Mr. FREEMANHas my right hon. Friend had any other complaints, and has he any official report of investigation into the matter?
§ Mr. HANNONIs it not a fact that the police in India have discharged their duties in a most exemplary way under great difficulty?