HC Deb 06 March 1933 vol 275 cc782-3
26. Mr. T. WILLIAMS

asked the Secretary of State for India if he is aware of the action of the authorities at Allaha- bad in prohibiting a commemoration meeting which was to have been presided over by Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru, one of the Round Table Conference delegates; is he aware that the meeting was being organised by non-Congressmen; and will he state the reason for prohibition?

Sir S. HOARE

The meeting was prohibited because it was proposed to hold it in Parshotamdas Park within the civil lines where previous similar gatherings had caused obstruction and annoyance to persons lawfully employed. The organisers, who included several members of Congress were informed that there would be no objection to a meeting anywhere outside the civil lines.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that of the nine persons charged with the responsibility of organising the meeting there were only two who were members of the Congress and that the meeting had no connection whatsoever with Congress; and, as one of the Round Table delegates was to preside over the meeting, does the right hon. Gentleman think it was justifiable to stop it?

Sir S. HOARE

I am not aware of the facts just stated by the hon. Member. The meeting was prohibited for one reason and for one reason only, namely, that at this particular place, in the centre of the civil lines, it would have led to obstruction and trouble. There was no reason why the meeting should not have been held outside the city.

Mr. WILLIAMS

As Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru was a thoroughly capable and desirable delegate to the Round Table Conference, will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether any such meeting presided over by him should have been prohibited in the special area referred to?

Sir S. HOARE

Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru was one of the most useful and valued members of the conference, and we shall be glad to hear him make a speech at any time. In this case the prohibition had nothing to do with him, but simply with the place of meeting. The meeting was to be in the centre of the town, and it would have led to obstruction, and possibly to trouble, and that was the sole reason why it was prohibited.