HC Deb 27 February 1941 vol 369 cc624-5
44. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that communications respecting conversations with Indian political leaders have not reached their addressees in this country, although cabled references to these conversations have been received; whether he can give the reason for these communications being held up by authorities in India; what political proposals Mr. Jinnah has forwarded within the last three months to His Majesty's Government; and why information respecting Indian political life and movement is being withheld or suspended from publication in this country?

Mr. Amery

I am not aware on what grounds the hon. Member makes the assumptions involved in the first and last parts of his Question. It is, of course, the fact that under present conditions letters take much longer to arrive from India than normally. Members of the Government have recently received from Mr. Jinnah documents setting out the claims of the Moslem League and urging His Majesty's Government to reject the demands of the Indian National Congress.

Mr. Sorensen

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that correspondence dealing precisely with Mr. Jinnah's proposals was sent to this country, that a cable arrived, but that a letter did not arrive?

Mr. Amery

There was a very long interval between the arrival of the cable and the letter.

Mr. Parker

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have seen a cable; saying that correspondence was being sent and later another cable saying that the correspondence was stopped in the post?

Mr. Amery

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would let me have particulars.