§ Earl Winterton(by Private Notice) asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if the riotous mobs in Calcutta are now under control, and what is the number of casualties among the civilian police and the rioters respectively.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for India (Mr. Arthur Henderson)A report received from the Governor this morning indicates that the disturbances, which originated in demonstrations by Moslem students against the sentence passed on 383 a member of the "Indian National Army," reached a pitch yesterday evening at which it was impossible to restore and maintain order with the available civil resources unaided. The Governor accordingly authorised the invocation of strong military forces. No report has yet been received of the situation this morning, or of the total casualties so far incurred.
§ Earl WintertonIs it not clear that the whole reason for these riots was the sentence imposed—some think a light sentence—on a former member of the Indian Army who betrayed his two and a half million loyal comrades and was the associate of murderers and torturers in the Japanese army?
§ Mr. HendersonI prefer not to add to the reply I have just given until I have received a fuller report from the Governor of the Province.
§ Earl WintertonWill the hon. and learned Gentleman produce tomorrow, if another Question is put down, an account of the casualties involved in these riots?
§ Mr. HendersonI will gladly give a fuller statement once I have received a fuller report from the Governor.