HC Deb 28 November 1932 vol 272 cc455-6
11. Mr. MOLSON

asked the Secretary of State for India to what extent official facilities for obtaining information were offered to the party which recently visited India under the leadership of Miss Wilkinson, and to what extent these facilities were made use of?

Sir S. HOARE

On the understanding that the delegation intended to make a serious and impartial study of the situation in India and to take no public part in politics, the authorities in India were asked to give them help and information. I understand that the party did not entirely avoid official contacts. For example, Miss Wilkinson saw the Home Member of the Viceroy's Council. But according to detailed reports from practically every district which they visited they did not seem anxious to avail themselevs of official offers of help, and they were not disposed to credit accurate information when it was supplied to them. The party as a whole chose throughout to take its impressions from Congress workers who are known to have received for the purpose careful instructions from their headquarters as to staging for their benefit Congress demonstrations which would involve clashes with the police and so on.

Mr. MOLSON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that as a result of that visit to India a series of public meetings to disseminate this inaccurate information has been undertaken, with the support of the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition and other prominent Members of the Opposition Front Bench?

Sir S. HOARE

I am not sure that the right hon. Gentleman opposite could not answer that question better than I can. I must leave it to the hon. Member for Doncaster (Mr. Molson) and other hon. Members to explain the real state of affairs to the country.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree with his hon. Friend that any information obtained other than through official Government sources is necessarily inaccurate?

Mr. CAMPBELL

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information as to whom the party purported to represent and from what sources they received funds?

Sir S. HOARE

I believe that the mission was arranged by a body in London called the India League, which no doubt gave financial support. The India League received a substantial donation from a prominent Indian Congress leader about the time that the mission was being arranged.