§ 6. Mr. ELLIS SMITHasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that a heavy security has been demanded, under the Indian Press Act, from "Abhyudaya," an Allahabad newspaper, for publishing the speech of a member of the legislative assembly during the debate on the Criminal Law Amendment Act; and on what grounds this action has been taken?
§ Mr. BUTLERYes, Sir. I understand that apart from the character of the speech in question the manner of its presentation in the "Abhyudaya," together with additional matter added to the speech, was such that it was necessary to demand a security from the newspaper under the Press Act.
§ 7. Mr. SMITHasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is 1774 aware that the office of the "Abhyudaya" was raided and copies of a publication entitled "Socialism" were taken away; and whether such action was taken after the publication had been read by the legal officers of the government and after due process of law?
§ Mr. BUTLERI understand that the office of the "Abhyudaya" was raided by the police in order to confiscate copies of the particular issue of that newspaper, to which, I presume, the hon. Member is referring and which had been declared to be forfeited under Section 19 of the Indian Press Act. As regards the second part of the question, I have no doubt that the action taken was in accordance with the requirements of the law.
§ Mr. MORGAN JONESIf the police raided these offices for the purpose of seizing the edition of the "Abhyudaya," why did they also seize extra copies of this work on Socialism?
§ Mr. BUTLERBecause the nature of the publication comes under the terms of the Press Act. They can take steps under the Press Act in certain circumstances.
§ Mr. JONESAre we to understand from that reply that it is illegal in India for people to publish documents on Socialism?
§ Mr. BUTLERNo, Sir.