§ 4. Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOXasked the Secretary of State for India whether any inquiry has been held into the circumstances in which British officers and their wives were insulted after the ceremony of the opening of the Lloyd Steps at Karachi; and what was the result?
§ Mr. BENNThe incident formed the subject of investigation by the Government of Bombay, who found that the police were taken by surprise by a display of hooliganism which there had been no reason to anticipate, and which growing darkness and the nature of the locality rendered difficult to quell. As a result, measures were taken to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.
§ Sir A. KNOXDoes the right hon. Gentleman not consider that the Commissioner in charge is responsible for this lack of proper provisions?
§ Sir A. KNOXDoes not the right hon. Gentleman acknowledge that this has had a more disastrous effect upon British prestige in India than any event in the last 100 years?
§ Mr. BENNDeplorable as was the incident, the statement of the hon. and gallant Member is exaggerated.
§ Sir A. KNOXWere not British officers and their wives spat upon by a crowd for half-an-hour?