§ 5. Mr. GRAHAM WHITEasked the Secretary of State for India if he will state the authority under which seven copies of a book entitled Lenin, a biography by Ralph Fox, consigned to the Book Company, Limited, Calcutta, were confiscated by the Customs authorities at Calcutta on 29th December, 1933?
§ Sir S. HOAREI have no information regarding this case, but if copies of this book were confiscated the action was no doubt taken in accordance with the provisions of the Sea Customs Act, under which books imported into India, in contravention of notifications issued by the Government of India are liable to confiscation.
§ Mr. WHITEWould the right hon. Gentleman say whether confiscation is obligatory under that Act, and whether, having regard to the fact that this property has free circulation in other countries, the books might not be returned to the shipper?
§ Sir S. HOAREI have no details at all about the case. If the hon. Member 736 requires further details, I must make inquiry.
Lieut.-Colonel SANDEMAN ALLENIn view of this question and answer, will my right hon. Friend inform the right hon. Member for Carnarvon Boroughs (Mr. Lloyd George) in case he wants to export some books to India?