§ 4. Wing-Commander JAMESasked the Secretary of State for India whether he has now considered fully the statement by the Government of Bengal and the Government of India regarding the accusations brought against the Calcutta police of unnecessary violence on the -occasion of the recent abortive meeting of Congress; and whether he has any further statement to make on the subject?
§ Sir S. HOAREI have placed in the Library a copy of the communique issued in regard to this matter. From this it will be seen that the Government of India and the Government of Bengal consider the accusations false and to have been issued for the purpose of discrediting the work of the Calcutta police to whose efforts was mainly due the complete failure of the attempt to hold the session of the Indian National Congress. I entirely agree with this conclusion.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSWill the right hon. Gentleman state why, if these accusations against the authorities are false, no steps have been taken to prosecute those who made the false statements?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe hon. Gentleman has more than once asked that question, and more than once I have given him an answer.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSBut does the right hon. Gentleman feel satisfied that the general public will accept that statement since those charged with making false statements have had no opportunity of justifying them or otherwise?
§ Sir S. HOAREI am satisfied that the general public will accept it.