§ 1. Sir JOHN WARDLAW - MILNEasked the Secretary of State for India whether he will give the House the latest information he has as to the political situation in India?
§ 8. Mr. PARKINSONasked the Secretary of State for India whether he can make any statement on the present situation in India?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Butler)Since the last statement issued to the House there have been no developments of importance in regard to the Civil Disobedience Movement. Attempts have been made to revive interest by holding conferences and by making raids on buildings seized by Government to prevent their being used for unlawful purposes. Many of the raids have proved abortive and though in some cases a considerable number of arrests has had to be made, the police have had little difficulty in preventing the raiders from attaining their objectives. All provinces continue to report a general improvement in the situation. The number of persons in gaol for offences connected with the Civil Disobedience Movement has fallen from 31,194 at the end of May to 21,422 at the end of August.
In view of the fact that the Special Powers Ordinance will expire on the 29th December, the Government of India have introduced in the Legislative Assembly a Bill to continue those provisions of the Ordinance which a general review of the situation shows still to be required generally. Provincial Governments will 576 introduce Bills continuing such of the remaining provisions as are needed to meet special conditions prevailing locally.
With regard to Bengal, I regret to have to report that the revolutionary party remains active and during the last three months a number of terrorist outrages have occurred. As a measure of security the Government of India have stationed in different parts of Bengal seven additional infantry battalions and propose to keep them there so long as circumstances demand their presence. Early in September also the Bengal Legislative Council passed by a substantial majority the Bengal Suppression of Terrorist Outrages Act and the Bengal Criminal Law Amendment Act conferring on the Executive powers previously given by means of Ordinances.
§ Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNECan my hon. Friend tell me whether the Bill to which he refers which is about to be introduced is a continuation of the one which was mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State just before the Recess, or whether it is a new Bill with further powers?
§ Mr. BUTLERThere is a Bill before the Assembly which has just been sent to a Select Committee, and new Bills are about to be introduced in the Provincial Councils.