§ 7. Mr. D. GRENFELLasked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware of the anxiety caused in India by the increasing numbers of abductions and criminal assaults on Hindu girls; whether he can give the numbers of such cases reported during the last three years to the most convenient date; and whether he can state what steps the Government of India are taking in the matter?
§ Mr. BUTLERMy attention has been called to statements in the Press in India that there has been an increase in the number of such cases in Bengal. I am unable to furnish the figures for which the hon. Member asks, but in the opinion of the Government of Bengal the figures do not justify the definite conclusion that this class of crime is on the increase.