HC Deb 06 March 1941 vol 369 c994
6. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for India how many Ministers or ex- Ministers of the Provincial Governments of India are now under arrest or serving sentences; and, of these, how many were Prime Ministers?

The Secretary of State for India (Mr. Amery)

Twenty-four ex-Ministers, including five ex-Premiers, are serving sentences and eight ex-Ministers including two ex-Premiers are under arrest.

Mr. Sorensen

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that all these persons were democratically elected according to the franchise of India, and what steps does he intend to take in order to get rid of this serious reflection on our honour?

Mr. Amery

I am afraid that democratic election constitutes no exemption from the consequences of illegal actions.