§ 9. Mr. Dobbieasked the Secretary of State for India if he has considered the complaint made by the editor of "Reynolds" newspaper against the political censorship applied to their special correspondent Mr. D. N. Tahmanhet; and if he is taking further action to prevent political censorship in India.
14. Miss Wardasked the Secretary of State for India whether he is in touch with the Government of India with a view to effecting a re-organisation of the censorship.
§ The Secretary of State for India (Mr. Amery)I understand that the hon. Member for Rotherham (Mr. Dobbie) is referring to an article in "Reynolds' News" on 23rd April. I am in communication with the Government of India regarding the censorship of Press messages from India, and hope to be in a position to make a statement on the whole question fairly soon.
§ Mr. DobbieIn conjunction with this matter, will the Minister consider other complaints which I am able to submit to him?
§ Mr. SorensenMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman's reference was to the message sent from India to this country referring to hunger, from which message the censor eliminated the word "hunger"?
§ Mr. Tom BrownIs the Minister aware that political censorship now being applied by his Department is causing great disquiet among the Indian people?
§ Mr. AmeryMy Department applies no censorship. I have already stated, in 905 reply to my hon. Friend the Member for East Fulham (Mr. Astor) on 18th May, the principles according to which the censorship of the Government of India is applied.
Miss WardWill the Minister also inquire into the censorship of letters—to which my Question relates—and not only that of Press messages?
§ Mr. DribergIs it not the case that, apart from narrower political issues, this censorship did, in fact, prevent the British people from knowing the full extent of the Indian famine for far too long?