§ 25. Mr. OSWALD LEWISasked the Secretary of State for India if he will 192 cause inquiry to be made as to the possibility of instituting a regular system of propaganda in some portion of the vernacular Press in India with a view to counteracting the misstatements at present being spread among the Indian peoples and with a view to giving wider publicity to the advantages conferred by the existence of British rule in India?
§ Mr. BENNThe authorities in India have constantly before them the necessity of using all practicable means of preventing the public from being misled by false or tendencious statements made in the Press or elsewhere.
§ Mr. HARRISAre there not statements made in the English Press as well?
§ 27. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for India what steps are taken by the Government of India to make known the policy and intentions of His Majesty's Government regarding the reforms to the general public in India?
§ Mr. BENNThe declaration of the policy of His Majesty's Government made by the Prime Minister at the close of the Round Table Conference has been translated into many Indian vernaculars and widely disseminated. A sound film taken of the closing stage of the conference including this declaration has been exhibited in a considerable number of towns in India and is reported to have been well received wherever shown.
Earl WINTERTONHas the right hon. Gentleman any information as to whether the Government used the Indian wireless system for making this statement known?
§ Mr. BENNI have not any specific information on that point. There is a great difficulty about translations, as the Noble Lord knows well.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYMay we take it that this very useful precedent will be followed in the future for making known the policy of His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. BENNI am seeking constantly to make the policy of the Government known, and to this extent we have succeeded. Every practical means will be considered.