HC Deb 09 February 1931 vol 248 cc7-8
13. Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOX

asked the Secretary of State for India if he is aware that arms have been, and are being, illegally imported into India; and will he state if special steps are being taken to deal with this matter?

Mr. BENN

I have received reports from time to time of attempts to smuggle arms into India, but I have no information that any considerable consignments of arms have been imported. If the hon. and gallant Member can supply me with any specific information, I shall be very glad to receive it.

Sir A. KNOX

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in the meantime, ask the Government of India if they have any later information on the subject?

Mr. BENN

I have given all the information in my possession but I imagine from the question put by the hon. and gallant Gentleman that he has some other information which I was inviting him to send to me.

Sir A. KNOX

Up to what date does the right hon. Gentleman's information extend?

Mr. BENN

I cannot say. It is the date of the most recent telegram, and it is a recent date.

Colonel GRETTON

Will the right hon. Gentleman make further inquiries as small consignments may amount to a large total?

Mr. BENN

Those are precisely the points with which the Government of India dealt in the telegram to which I have referred.

Lieut.-Colonel MOORE

If a question is put down in a week's time, will the right hon. Gentleman give the most up-to-date information?

Mr. BENN

All questions receive up-to-date information.

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