HC Deb 13 April 1937 vol 322 cc790-1
70. Mr. Harvey

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the confiscation by the customs officers at Bombay of large numbers of books, including text books, which Indian students have brought with them from England at the conclusion of their studies; whether he is aware of the seriousness of the sense of grievance thus created; and whether any steps are being taken to remedy the situation?

The Under-Secretary of State for India (Mr. Butler)

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Lady the Member for the English Universities (Miss Rathbone).

Mr. Harvey

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the wisdom of revising the existing regulations before they pass under the control of the Indian Government?

Sir A. Sinclair

Could we have a list of these proscribed books put in the Library?

Mr. Butler

I think it would be impossible to make a comprehensive list of all books of a Communist character, but books of a Communist character are proscribed.

Sir A. Sinclair

Presumably the Customs officials have a list to enable them to do their work. Surely a copy of that list could be placed in the Library?

Mr. Butler

I will certainly look into the right hon. Baronet's request, but it would be difficult to get a comprehensive list.

Mr. Messer

Is it a fact that there were some books which were not Communist?