11. Earl WINTERTONasked the Secretary of State for India under what section of the Indian penal code or under what ordinance the Congress Working Committee was last year declared to be illegal, and under what law or special powers vesting in the Governor-General or Governor has it now bene declared to be no longer illegal?
§ Mr. BENNThe Working Committee of the All-India Congress Committee was declared an unlawful association by notifications issued by local governments under Section 16 of the Indian Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1908. These notifications were withdrawn last month.
Earl WINTERTONWill the right hon. Gentleman say in what respect the position in regard to illegality differs in the case of the Congress Working Committee from the position when it was declared an illegal body? Has there been any abandonment of illegality?
§ Mr. BENNA body becomes illegal when it is notified under the Act as being an illegal body. When the notification is withdrawn, the illegality ceases.
Earl WINTERTONIn what respect does the attitude or position of the Congress Working Committee differ?
§ Mr. BENNThat is not the question on the Paper. That is a question of the activities of the committee, and requires separate notice.
Earl WINTERTONWill the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to obtain information on this important matter from the Government of India, as several of my hon. Friends and myself desire to raise the matter on the Adjournment of 851 the House or some other convenient time between now and Easter?