§ 11. Mr. SORENSENasked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many have been externed for political reasons from the Punjab; and whether he has any information that clearly implicates the externees in illegal acts?
§ Mr. BUTLERThe number of persons at present externed from the Punjab under Section 3 of the Punjab Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, is three. This Section gives power to take steps to prevent a person from acting in a manner prejudicial to the public safety or peace. I have no doubt that the action taken by the Local Government in these cases was justified.
§ Mr. SORENSENDo I understand that the hon. Gentleman has no information indicating that these externees had committed illegal acts?
§ Mr. BUTLERI have very definite information in the case of two of them. I am awaiting a further report on the third.
§ Mr. SORENSENWere there not other externees who have now, presumably, been allowed to come back; and if so, can the hon. Gentleman give any information about those externees?
§ Mr. BUTLERThe hon. Member's question related to three specific cases. I would be glad if he would put any other question on the Paper.