HC Deb 08 July 1931 vol 254 cc2076-7
41. Colonel HOWARD-BURY

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the deputy commissioner at Rae Bareli has been instructed by the Government to cancel letters issued by him with regard to the steps to be taken to prevent Congress agents advocating non-payment of rent and taxes, in view of the Irwin-Gandhi agreement; and seeing that his orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Code have had to be modified, what steps are now permissible to prevent incitement to agrarian outrages?

Mr. BENN

I have seen the Press report to which the hon. and gallant Member referred on Monday last, and also another Press message which gives-extracts from the two letters which the district magistrate was apparently instructed to withdraw. I see no ground for apprehending that the applicability of any provision of the law is in any way affected by this incident.

Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Is it the case that this deputy commissioner, who tried to uphold the law, has been sacrificed to political pressure from the Hindu party?

Mr. BENN

The hon. and gallant Member is entirely mistaken in that statement, nor have I any evidence which confirms his view.