HC Deb 01 July 1937 vol 325 cc2132-3
22. Mr. T. Williams

asked the Home Secretary on whose authority officers from Scotland Yard visited Mr. Prithu Pal Singh on 10th June and Dr. Sadashanker Chhabildas Mehta on 11th June; why these two persons were questioned about the policy of and about who was concerned with and financed the new magazine "Indian Student"; and on whose authority one of the officers forced an entrance into Dr. Mehta's house on nth June at 9 a.m. where, after asking a series of questions, he took full particulars from his passport?

Sir S. Hoare

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that, information having been received that subscriptions were being solicited in London on behalf of a hitherto unknown body styling itself the Federation of Indian Students' Societies in Great Britain and Ireland, inquiries were made by the police in the ordinary course of their duties to ascertain the identity of the promoters and their bona fides. During the course of these inquiries Mr. Prithu Pal Singh was interviewed by a police officer, and he afterwards invited the officer to call on Dr. S. C. Mehta. This was done by another officer on the following day. I am informed that there is no truth in the statement that one of the officers forced an entrance into Dr. Mehta's house.

Mr. Williams

May I ask whether it is usual when a new magazine or periodical is announced to be published for officers from Scotland Yard to select individuals who may or may not be contributors and interrogate them as to how far they are concerned with such magazine or periodical?

Sir S. Hoare

The procedure was quite normal in this case. The police made these visits to obtain information. They obtained the information and found the position quite satisfactory.

Mr. Williams

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Provincial Governments of India for many years have been providing approximately £800,000 per annum for the organisation, and will he say that Scotland Yard were not aware of its existence. In these circumstances does he not think that whether they are Indians or whoever they may be they are quite entitled, without being interrogated in this fashion, to establish a magazine for circulation among Indian students?

Sir S. Hoare

I would prefer not to deal with a general question of that kind. This case followed the normal procedure. The police made certain inquiries which did not imply any condemnation of the individuals concerned. They have to satisfy themselves, which they did.

Mr. Attlee

Will the right hon. Gentleman circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT information as to the previous occasions on which the police have made this kind of inquiries so that we can judge how far it is the normal procedure?

Sir S. Hoare

I am not sure how far we have that information at our disposal, but I will look into it. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put down a question.

Mr. Attlee

The right hon. Gentleman will realise that a great many new periodicals are started in this country, and it would be interesting to know on how many occasions the police have made this inquiry?

Sir S. Hoare

I will investigate the matter.

Mr. T. Williams

Will the right hon. Gentleman also investigate the statement in the question that a police officer forced his way into the house of Dr. Mehta while the doctor was in the bathroom?

Sir S. Hoare

I have made inquiries, and I am informed that that was not the case.