§ 6 Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the recent plea of Sir Tej Sapru and other non-Congress leaders 1708 that Mr. Gandhi and Congress leaders should appear before a judicial tribunal in order that opportunity may be given them to refute allegations of pro-Japanese sympathy and other charges contained in the White Paper; and whether any response will be given to these representations?
§ The Secretary of State for India (Mr. Amery)I have seen a Press report of the matter referred to. The Government of India have no intention of staging a trial of Mr. Gandhi and the Congress leaders who were placed in detention, as the honourable Member is aware, subsequent to the passing of the resolution of the All-India Congress Committee of 8th August last year. The Government of India's statement re-published in the White Paper was issued in response to a demand for the justification for their action. It does not make charges of pro-Japanese sympathy as the honourable Member's Question suggests.
§ Mr. SorensenMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether there is to be any response to these frequent pleas by non-Congress leaders for further action by his Department?
§ Mr. SorensenWould the Secretary of State kindly reply to my supplementary question?
§ Mr. SorensenDo I take it there is to be no response to these frequent appeals by non-Congress leaders?
§ Mr. SorensenOn that and other matters?
§ Sir Stanley ReedMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether the only indication of Mr. Gandhi's pro-Japanese sympathies was contained in his own letter to the Working Committee of the Congress, in which he said that if he had power, he would probably open negotiations with the Japanese: and, secondly, whether Mr. Gandhi—
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member is not asking a question but giving information.