§ 9. Mr. MORGAN JONESasked the Under-Secretary of State for India the grounds upon which the district magistrate at Allahabad has seized literature which was being transmitted to this country by the All-India Congress Committee; and whether it is the policy of the Government to prevent persons in the country or elsewhere from obtaining information as to the trend of events in India?
§ Mr. BUTLERAction was taken by the district magistrate of Allahabad because he was advised that this literature came under the definition of unauthorised news sheets as laid down in the Indian Press Emergency Powers Act, 1931. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. JONESIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this literature is just the same as that which has been sent, over a very long period to Members of this House and to persons outside this House who are interested in these problems?
§ Mr. BUTLERThis literature, the magistrate was advised, came under the Act. Warning was given to the Congress and that warning was disregarded with the result that this action was taken. May I add that the President of the Congress has now applied for permission to issue certain news sheets and the matter is under the consideration of the local government.
§ Mr. BUTLERI would not say that. I would rather leave it for the local government to consider the application from the Congress.
§ Mr. SORENSENDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that under the present interpretation any typewritten circular would come under a ban?
§ Mr. BUTLERI think the hon. Member had better await the consideration by the local government of the matter, which is of some importance.