HC Deb 04 May 1931 vol 252 cc8-9
10. Major -General Sir ALFRED KNOX

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has received any later estimates of the number of men, women and children murdered at Cawnpore?

Mr. BENN

No, Sir. I have no other figures than the verified figures already given. No doubt the hon. and gallant Gentleman has seen the evidence of the district magistrate reported in the Press on Saturday.

Sir A. KNOX

Is it a fact that many eye-witnesses have written to the Press putting the number of casualties at some-thing like 1,000 or 2,000, and the official report takes a very optimistic view of the whole situation?

Mr. BENN

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is aware that we have done our best to get at the truth of the matter by the institution of an authoritative and public inquiry.

Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Was there any censorship regarding the Cawnpore riot reports that first came to the country?

Mr. BENN

That question does not arise, and, as it is a serious question, perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will make a special inquiry.