HC Deb 19 June 1939 vol 348 cc1782-3
5. Sir N. Stewart Sandeman

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what action has been taken by the Governors of the Provinces concerned to prevent the collection of organised bodies of men in their own Provinces intending to carry on agitation in the Indian States; and whether their departure to these Indian States has been prevented?

Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead

Apart from Bombay, where, for internal reasons, the Provincial Government decided to prohibit the concentration of a large body of individuals in a certain district, no Provincial Government has, so far as I am aware, considered it necessary to take action of the kind referred to in the question.

Sir N. Stewart Sandeman

Is there any doubt that infiltration into the native States is still going on?

Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead

I think that It is true to say that there is a certain amount of infiltration into the native States, but it has not been such that any of the Provincial Governments have thought it necessary to take action.

Sir N. Stewart Sandeman

Have the Princes made any objection and notified His Majesty's Government about it?

Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead

Certainly no representation has been made which has led any Governor to feel that his special responsibilities are involved.