§ 3. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Secretary of State for India whether the Government of Bengal intend to seek new powers to deal with Congress activities and subversive movements in that province; and when a statement on this subject can be expected?
§ Sir S. HOAREAn Ordinance is being promulgated by the Governor-General to-day to deal with the situation caused by the activities of the terrorists in Bengal particularly in the Chittagong district, The Ordinance is in two parts. The first applies only to the Chittagong district and gives special powers to the authorities in that district to facilitate the operations which are being undertaken in conjunction with the military against a gang of revolutionaries who are 731 terrorising the countryside. The second part applies to the whole of Bengal, and its provisions are mainly designed to expedite the trials of terrorist offenders which under present conditions are being successfully obstructed by the accused.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEIs my right hon. Friend aware that there has been considerable unrest among the loyal communities in Bengal regarding the situation, and will he take steps, if they have not already been taken, to make public the fact that under this new Ordinance the Government will take direct action against those who have been disturbing the peace?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe Ordinance is being published in India to-day, and I think my hon. Friend will see, if he reads it, that we have done our best to meet effectively a most dangerous situation.
§ Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOXDoes the Ordinance give power to transport offenders to the Andamans or will they be put in concentration camps?
§ Sir S. HOAREIt gives power to deport offender.